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HOW TO 
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SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 
Group XV. No. 124 



GYMNASTICS 



AND 



ROPE CLIMBING 



BY 



ROBERT $TOLL, N. Y. A. C. 

Amateur Champion on Flying Rings from 1 885 to 1 892, 
inclusive 



c^g®^ 



HOW TO BECOME AN EXPERT 
IN THE GYMNASIUM 



Published by the 

AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING COMPANY 

21 Warren Street, New York 



-S77 



Copyright. 191 « 

BY 

American Sports Publishing Company 
Nbw York 



^ 






M -8 1916 

©CI.A4333»I8 



INTRODUCTION. 

In ttie National events of the ancient Greeks and Romans games 
of every description formed a most important part. The principal 
of the four games publicly solemnized in Greece were the Olympic • 
but games of different kinds were exercised by the early Romans, 
which consisted of chariot and horse racing, combats and theatrical 
sports. They also exercised themselves before bathing in leaping, 
running, throwing the javelin, quoit, etc. 

The athletic exercises practiced among these nations consisted of 
wrestling, boxing and such other exercises, requiring great strength. 
Prizes were given to the victors and many privileges granted to 
them. 

The Olympic Games, the chief of the festivals of the Greeks, were 
celebrated every fifth year, and consisted of religious ceremonies, 
athletic contests and races. 

Under the emperors of ancient Rome places were built in which 
the Romans were to perform athletic exercises. These places were 
known as Gymnasia, but they were imitations of those buildings 
erected by the Spartans, the inhabitants of Sparta, the capital of the 
mountainous country in Greece, and bounded by the Messenian, La- 
conian and Argolic Gulfs. 

The word gymnastic is derived from a Greek word signifying 
naked, it being customary among the Greeks to strip themselves 
of the whole or a part of their clothes before engaging in any of the 
athletic feats. 

As early as the time of Plato gymnastic was made a part of medi- 
cine, for the purpose of counteracting the sad effects of luxury and 
indolence, which at that time were greatly increasing, and after it 
was reduced to a complete system oflBcers were appointed by the 
State to superintend the performances in the gymnasia built for that 
purpose ; the chief officer being termed a Gymnasiaroh. 

The immediate effects of gymnastic exercises is an increase, both 
in size and power, of the parts exercised, and that in proportion to 
thd amount of exertion made use of; so the part increases not only in 



« INTRODUC3TION. 

strength, but also in size. When a person engages in a certain avo- 
cation which requires an amount of muscular exertion, he not only 
improves in strength, expertness and dexterity, but the muscles are 
brought into unusual action, which causes them rapidly to increase 
in size and vigor ; whilst the rest of the body, which has not been so 
much exerted, will be found to lack that which the muscles have 
gained. Therefore it must be evident that, if the whole body be ex- 
erted and brought into action as near as possible, at the same time, 
and for the same length of time, the amount of additional strength 
gained will be distributed all over the body alike. Still, if the body 
be not over-fatigued, all the other parts of the body sympathize with 
the improving condition of that part which is chiefly exercised, the 
circulation acquires new vigor, and all the functions are carried on 
with increased activity, owing to the blood being thrown into all 
the parts with unusual force. 

Besides, by exercising the body as just described, the mind is 
made capable of enduring a more prolonged application to the var- 
ious and necessary branches of education. If a person, who for the 
greater part of the day is confined to an office, finds his health de- 
clining, he is sure to be recommended more bodily exercise to re- 
lieve the over-burdened state of the mind. Yet excessive exercise 
produces very nearly the same injurious results as inactivity, and 
should therefore be carefully avoided. But if gymnastics formed a 
part of the education of youth, the health of the young, of which- 
ever sex they might be, would be greatly benefited ; for every school 
or place of learning should have the means at hand by which youth 
may, after the mental labors of the day are over, exercise them- 
selves to give that exertion to their bodies which would be acknowl- 
edged by all who took advantage of those means, having given them 
sufficient proof that health in after life is owing greatly to the active 
exertions in which they were engaged in earlier days. 

Gymnastics should be taught by the master, and practiced by the 
pupil, as combining amusement and education with the best 
means of obtaining bodily strength and activity; for gymnastics ex- 
ercise on the mind as well as on the body, thereby securing benefi- 
cial inttuenoes to both. 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR. 

This being" the most simple, and without exaggeration it may b© 
said, the most useful of all apparatus in a gymnasium, it is placed 
first in order. Its strength and adaptability to being raised or low- 
ered, as the nature of the exercises, or the ages of the gymnast re- 
quires, makes it the most varied and attractive ; varied because no 
one part of the body is at a standstill, the chief parts exercised, and 
which, moreover, derive the greatest benefit, are the muscles of the 
arms, wrists, hands, chest, spine, loins, hips, legs, abdomen, etc.; 
men increase very much round the chest, and likewise in weight, and 
their muscles enlarge and harden ; and attractive, from the num- 
ber and variety of the exercises capable of beings accomplished 
thereon. One celebrated author and gymnast writes: "It is not 
necessary to describe these movements," alluding to the preliminary 
exercises, "as anyone, without instruction, can place himself under a 
bar and pull himself up by his hands any number of times ho 
chooses." Now, were such true, we should have many more clever 
gymnasts than we have, for the example set in the above extract, is, 
perhaps, one of the most diflQcult to a beginner, and to a skillful 
gymnast, if he is to reckon the "number of times he chooses." It is, 
therefore, advisable to treat largely on preliminary exercises, and 
there are many so-called gymnasts, who could not go through, per- 
haps, any of the more simple exercises in a manner that may be said 
to have been properly done ; they aim at "something showy ,"*not use- 
ful. Again, the same author errs greatly in saying that "it is not 
necessary to have an instructor standing by, looking on," in alluding 
to the same subject. Where is the gymnast who had no instructor 
in the preliminary exercises, and who could undergo a thorough ex- 
amination as to whether he was entitled to the name of gymnast ? 
It is at the commencement that instruction is required, and if there 
is to be no instructor, and no book containing his first lessons, bow 
is he to get on ? 



i GYMNASTICS. 

EXEKCISES ON THE HORIZONTAL BAK. 

To Hang on the Bar by the Hands. Arm and hand practice,^ 
Place the bar so that when standing- flat on the feet, aod stretohmg 
the arms well above the head, it shall be about six inches above the 



^&hS» 



Fio. ft. 



-es>^ 



^ 




MS:^ 




tips of the fingers ; then jump up, and by passing the hands over it 
towards the back, lay hold of it and grasp it firmly, letting the 
thumbs be on the same side as the fingers, and the knuckles as far 
upwards as possible (See Fig. l), grasping it firmly, without any feai 



GYMNASTICS. 9 

to/ n«>t being abk to retain your hold very long, as that is sure to 
eome by practice. Therefore, at first suspend yourself as long as con- 
renient without tiring yourself, yet after a time you should so hang 
as long as possible ; and by the continual practice of this, the most 
eiMple of all exercises, the strength of the arms and hands is greatly 
den'-eloped. Though not fatiguing at first, it becomes much more so 
the longer the body is suspended, and it is stated that a soldier oncf> 
held himself by the hands for forty-two minutes, whilst many 
others have been known to thus suspend themselves for thirty-flve 
minutes. 

The exercise should likewise be practiced by hanging by one hand, 
letting the other drop straight down by the side each time. It would 
be well for the gymnast to practice jumping up to the bar and grasp- 
ing it with one hand only, and not with both hands and afterwards 
letting go with one of them. Do not always use the same hand, but 
let the right and left hands alternately bear the weight of the body. 

Grasping the bar with the fingers turned towards you should be 
likewise practiced, as many exercises require the hands to be so 
placed. 

To Hano by the Hands. Arm and hand procfo'ce.— Stand under 
the bar with the face towards its length, and in jumping up to 
grasp it place one hand on either side of it, and proceed as stated in 
the last exercise. 

Arm and hand practice. — Jump up as in the first exercise, but grasp 
the bar with the arms crossed about half way between the elbows 
and the wrists, and letting the face come between the arms so as to 
look between them, at the same time keeping the body perfectly 
straight by not allowing it to turn either to the right or to the left, 
According to whichever arm is underneath. 

This exercise must likewise be practiced with the hands turned 
and grasping the bar on the other side, thereby bringing the fingere 
towards you (See Fig. 2), and proceeding according to the directions 
previously given. It would be better if, on letting go with the hand 
underneath, it wore passed over the other each time: this would 
render the exercise a little more difficult. 

Arm and wrist practice. — Jump up and grasp the bar with the 
knuckles and thumbs towards you, then, by giving a slight upward 
motion, move first the right hand to the right, and then the left to 
the left, and by short and regular steps repeat the exercise until the 
arms are as open as it is possible for them to be, when reverse the 



10 GYMNASTICS. 

movement and bring the hands gradually together again. The ex- 
ercise must now be repeated with the hands turned the reverse way, 
and on no account are they to slide along the bar, but be lifted fairly 
frdm it each time. A slight pause should be made between each 
movement; or, 

Hang by the hands with the knuckles towards you as before, and 
widen the distance between the hands as in the last, but in this 
exercise they must be moved towards their respective ends of the 
bars both at once, and the movement continued until the same dis- 
tance along the bar is reached, when reverse the motion and bring 
the hands together. Kepeat the exercise with the fingers towards 
yoUj and without letting the hands slide along the bar in the least. 

To Walk. Arm practice.— 1. Grasp the bar with both hands on 
the same side and move them alternately along it, beginning with 
short and even steps, and increasing their length until able to take 
them with ease, and when capable of so doing let each step be as long 
as it is possible to open the arms, but without any kind of a jerk, or 
any sign of over-exertion, and this must be persevered in. 

2. When well up in the above let the hands be crossed over each 
other in advancing, thus : if going to the left pass the right arm over 
the left, and vice versa. 

Let the legs be kept perfectly straight, and the toes well pointed 
to the ground. Nothing shows a careless and unskillful gymnast so 
much as throwing his legs or body about while achieving any of the 
essential preliminary exercises ; therefore strive to carry all exer- 
cises into effect with the legs, etc., kept in their proper position 
without any undue stiffness. 

Another Exercise.— Grasp the bar with one hand on either side 
and proceed as in the last, but the hands must now always advance 
one before the other in going forward, and in returning walk back- 
wards, when they are passed each in turn behind the other. Let the 
legs be kept perfectly steady as in the last. 

These two exercises should be well persevered in, for a man is not 
worthy the name of a gymnast if he cannot go through any pre- 
liminary exercise that may be set him as they are the essential 
groundwork for the more difficult ones as he advances. 

To Jump. Arm practice. — This exercise is very like the last, as the 
learner places his hands first, both on the same side ; second, one on 
either side of the bar ; but he here must move them both at the same 
time instead of alternately, and to assist the pupil in making the 



©YMNASTIOS. 



1\ 



eprlngr requisite to advance, the legs may be brought up a little and 
carried down again suddenly ; but after he can achieve the next exer- 
cises, he must effect the spring by the arms alone, when the legs 
\nust be kept perfectly still, when after a little time he can try to 
jump as far along the bar as possible, then to and fro, ad libitum, the 
length of the jump being in proportion to the impetus given to the 



¥l3i ^ 



body. If the legs be thrown about too 
much the desired effect uponthe musi 
cles of the arm will be in part lost. 

Breasting the Bar, or to Eisf- 
AND Fall. Muscle practice; slow 
movement. —This exercise is nothing 
more than the pulling up of the body 
as high as the arms will allow. It is 
done by hanging on the bars by the 
hands and gradually raising the body, 
by bending the arms at the elbows, 
until the breast is as high as the bar 
(see Fig . 3), then steadily lowering your- 
self again. It should be repeated at 
least three times, and if not able to 
succeed in doing it the first time of 
trying do not despair, for on the being 
able to effect this exercise likewise de- 
pends the being able to accomplish 
many others herein given ; besides 
which, it tends greatly to strengthen 
the muscles ot the arms and wrist. 

This must likewise be practiced with 
the hands turned, thereby grasping 
the bar on the opposite side, when the 
fingers will be towards you, the thumb being on the same side as 
the lingers. 

The gymnast should so persevere in the rise and fall exercise 
that he may be able to do so with one arm only, the other hanging 
loosely by the side, or carried out a little in front to assist in balanc- 
ing himself. The legs, which should be straight, are, in achieving 
this exercise, either raised quite horizontally or else projected a little 
to the front; this renders it rather easier to carry into effect. 
To EisK AND Fall with one Arm at a Time. Arm and muscle 




12 OTMNASTTOS. 

practice.— Grasp the bar with both hands, letting them be a little 
wider apart ; then, keeping the left arm straight, raise the body up 
by contracting the muscles of and bending the right arm; now 
straighten the right and bend the left in like manner, repeating the 
exercise at least three times with each arm alternately at first, after- 
wards it may be done a few times with one arm, and then with the 
other. When perfect in the above, and able to do it freely, proceed 
with the next exercise. 

\ To Change Hands. Arm and wrist practice.— Hajig on the bar 
with both hands, as in the first exercise, keeping the body and legs 
perfectly straight and steady, then with a sudden motion turn the 
hands inwards, and, carrying them out a little, grasp the bar on the 
outer side, when the fingers will point towards you. This is excel- 
lent practice, not only for the arms and wrists, but also to insure 
a quick and firm grasp ; it should therefore be repeated three or four 
times, without separating the legs and throwing them about, which 
can only be prevented by raising the body a little. 

Changinq Hands Across. Arm and wrist practice.— Gr&sp the bar 
with the arms crossed one over the other, say the right over the left, 
and letting the backs of the hands be towards the face, then, keeping 
the body perfectly straight, with a sudden movement change the 
position of the arms, and bring the left over the right, when continue 
the exercise a few times. 

The arms and wrists will be found to derive great benefit from 
practicing this and the next exercise ; but it must be borne in mind 
that, in crossing the arms, the point of intersection is to be half-way 
between the elbows and the wrists, and on no account must the body 
be allowed to turn round toward that side of the arm which is under- 
neath. To insure this, the pupil should endeavor to bring his face 
between his iicmz n.nc' look through them ; or, 

Grasp -^ >ar y^itL the arms across, as in the last, but with the 
fingers plntlng towardc you, and endeavor, while keeping the body 
perfectly stKjiigfht, C»^ffec' the change as before. 

Right About $'AC3E. Arm and wrist practice.— Grasp the bar with 
both hands .-9 before then raise the body a little, and, turning it 
round toward' th" rifirAf— somewhat suddenly, release your hold of 
the bar and regrasp it again on the other side, now repeat the exer- 
cise by turning the body to the left, but, being rather difficult to ac- 
complish. It should at first be done very slowly ; when, however, per- 
fect In it, the quicker the change is made, and without any app^-rent 



tt'SMNASTIdft, 



18 



exertion on the part of the gymnast, the better. The several parts 
exercised will be wonderfully improved by its being practised, as 
likewise the grasp. 

To Touch the Bar with the Feet. Muscle practice.— Hang on 
the bar as before described, and, with a gradual motion, bring the 
legs up towards it ; bend the knees, and pass them between the arms 
under the bar together with the toes, which must be pressed against 
it. (See Fig. 4). 

A slight swing might be used at first, if not able to bring up the 
legs without ; but it is improper to do so, as, in all exercises where 



£^^4" 



TlQ.S. 





the legs are to be brought up, it ought to be done entirely through 
the muscular force of the arms, etc. 

To Hang by the Toes. Toe practice.— Proceed as in the last, and. 
Instead of placing the feet under the bar, hitch them over it, keeping 
the toes pointed towards the ground as much as possible. 

Let go your hands, and gradually allow your body to hang straight 
down by alternately catching hold of your clothes until you are more 
expert, which you will be after trying it a few times. 

But the most difBcult part of this exercise is to be able to replace 
four hands on the bars. To do so, pull yourself up by catching hold of 
your clothes, using your hands alternately in so doing ; but if notable 
to, and tke distance be not too great, unhitch the toes and drop to the 
groimd on the hands, letting the feet come down lightly. For this 
purposo the bar should be at first only placed ae ^h as the ^rymnast 



14 GYMNASTICS. 

can reach standing on his flat feet, as this will enable him to place hia 
hands on the ground, and so drop, in the event of his not being able 
to raise himself up as above directed. 

\ To Tkuss a Fowl. Spine practice.— Gr&sp the bar with both hands 
|and bring up the legs, passing the knees between the arms, and hicth- 
'ing the toes against the bar, then force the whole body through so as 
to bring the face downwards, as in Fig. 5, without relaxing your hold 
of the bar or unhitching your toes, as, after having remained in that 
position a short time, the body must be brought back through the 
arms again. The difficulty of this exercise depends partly upon the 
length of the gymnast's arms and legs, as, the longer his arms are, the 
more easy will it be for him to carry his body through as above stated . 

To Bbing the BodyTheough. Spine and muscle practice. — ^Proceed 
as described in the last exercise, and allow the legs to pass through 
together with the bodv which must fall as low as the arms will allow, 
when the body, arms, and legs ought to be nearly in a line with each 
other. (See Fig. 6.) After remaining in that position for a short time 
return through the arms again without allowing the hands to lose 
their hold or the feet to touch the ground. 

It will be found very difficult for beginners to return, until able to 
do so, relaese the hands and fall to the ground ; but after a little prac- 
tice, especially with a little assistance at first, it will become very 
much easier than would at first appear. 

If, on bringing the legs through, the feet be crossed, in which case 
they will pass between the arms first, it will be found to be much 
easier to achieve. 

The EvEBiiASTiNG Twist. Wrist practice. This is an excellent 
exercise for beginners, and one strongly recommended, as in per- 
forming it the gymnast must, if he have not yet done so, suspend 
himself by one hand, thereby testing the strength of each wrist. 

Proceed as last described, but, in lieu of bringing the body again 
through the arms, let go with one hand, when the body will swerve 
half round, then grasp the bar again and repeat the exercise as often 
as convenient. If it be done six times without stopping, and always 
letting go the same hand, it will appear as if the arm were being 
twisted completely round; but the pupil need not always use the 
same hand as it may be varied by doing the exercise three times 
with each, or by changing it every time the body is brought 
through. 

To B.ANQ BY THE LEGS. Knee practice. Grasp the bar firmly, 



GYMNASTICS. 15 

and bringing the legs through the arms, hitch them over the bar as 
far as the bend of the knee, when, by keeping the toes well pointed 
to the ground, and pressing the legs against the bar as firmly as 
possible, let go with the hands, letting them hang down loosely, and 
gradually lower the body as in Fig. 7. 

After remaining in that position as long as convenient, bring tha 
arms up, and, by drawing the body up a little, grasp the bar agai'-, 
FiQ. «• Ft(h ^ 





and allo^v the body, after having unhitched the legs, to fall and drop 
to the ground, taking care to alight on the toes ; or. 

Proceed as in the exercise to bring the body through and carry the 
rightleg only through and over the bar as far as the bend at the 
knee, and throw the left leg over the right foot, also as far as that 
joint ; then by letting go your hands, let the body hang down loosely 
the hands hanging down also, or folded across the chest akimbo. 
After having remained in this position a short time, raise the body 



16 GYMNASTICS. 

up, grasp the bar with the hands, and change the position of the legs, 
viz., throw the left leg over the bar, and carry the right leg over the 
left foot, and hang as before. 

This exercise, if constantly practiced, will be found to so mater- 
ially strengthen the knee joint, that the benefit derived from it will 
be of great advantage in climbing. 

The Suspender. Spine and leg practice.— Thi^i exercise is meant 
to strengthen the grasping of the bars with the legs, and especially 
with but one leg, therefore it p,<j ^^ 

should be practiced with the 
right and left alternately over 
the bar. 

Stand under the bar and 
grasp it with both hands, one 
on either side, and with a 
sudden spring throw the right 
leg over it towards the left, 
then place the toes of the left 
foot under the bar, as in 
Fig. 8. Let go the hands and 
allow your body to lower it- 
self as much as possible, re- 
maining in that position as 
long as convenient, or else 
raise the body up and down a 
few times; this latter would 
bring the spine of the back 
into full play, and it would 
derive great benefit therefrom. The hands may either hang loosely, 
as in the illustration, or be folded across the chest; in either case, 
they must remain in the same position while raising or lowering the 
body. The leg under the bar must be kept perfectly straight. 

Bow AND Ends. Spine, leg and wrist practice.— This amusing, 
and to all appearance grotesque, exercise tends nevertheless to 
strengthen the grasp, and, in efYecting it, it will be seen that the 
wrists come in for their share of the benefits to be derived there- 
from. 

Place both hands some little distance apart on the bar and grasp it 
firmly, letting the thumbs be on the same side as the fingers, then 
bring up the legs, and, passing one on either side of the arms, instead 




GTMNASTICS. 



17 



Fig. 9 



of between them, bend them over as near to the shoulders as pos- 
sible, hitching: the toes, one at a time, under the bar, as in Fig. 9, 
when the exercise is complete ; after a few attempts it will become 
much easier. 

Owing to the great strain upon the wrists by the legs pressing 
upon the arms, it will be utterly impossible to vary this, or achieve 
any other exercise while in this position. 

To Beeast the Bar. Muscle practice. — Grasp the bar with the 
arms crossed and the knuckles towards you, then achieve the rise 
and fall, raising the body up quite as high as in the former one and 
repeating it two or three times, though it will be found rather more 
difficult to accomplish. 

KiSB AND Falij. Muscle practice.— B.a,ng on the bar with one 
hand on either side, then gradually pull the body up by bending the 

arms until, by moving the head on 
one side, one shoulder touches the 
bar, when, after remaining in that 
position a short time, the body may 
be lowered, and, raising it again, 
let the other shoulder touch the bar. 
Breasting the Bar. Wrist and 
muscle practice.— Clench fists well 
and place them on the bar with the 
wrist bent over it, then, without 
moving either and or opening the 
fingers, raise the body up as be- 
fore as high as possible, when lower it again, the whole movement be- 
ing done very slowly ; and after a few trials go through the exercise 
three or four times simultaneously, but not to overtire yourself. Be- 
ing excellent exercise for the wrists, it should be well practised, though 
somewhat difficult to effect. 

To Change Hands. Muscle practice.— Vroceed as in breasting the 
bar, to rise and fall, and when the legs and body are well raised, let 
go the 7-ight hand and grasp the bar on the other side, then let go the 
left and grasp the bar on the same side ; this will cause the body to 
turn round towards the right, and as, during the passing of either 
hand, the whole weight of the body is suspended by one arm, it will 
cause the muscles of that arm to be brought into full use, and they 
will consequently be greatly strengthened. 




18 GYMNASTICS. 

Eepeat this exercise by passing the left hand to the other side of the 
bar first, thereby reversing the motion of the body. 

The Lettee L. Muscle practice.— in this exercise instead of the 
legs being allowed to hang straight down, they are brought to a right 
angle with the body, by bending body at the hips, thereby forming 
the letter L. When in this position raise the body, or the legs may 
be brought into the required position after the body is raised ; yet it 
would be bettor to practice the exercise both ways as the relative 
motions are reversed, thus : Firstly, raise the body after having 
brought up the legs ; secondly raise the body before raising the legs ; 
yet in whichever way it is done the muscles must derive benefit from 
it. 

The Walk. Arm and muscle practice. — As another variation in the 
walk, which though simple in itself to look at, is more difficult to 
achieve than the two former exercises, it would be well for the gym- 
nast to grasp the bar with both hands on the same side, then breast 
the bar, and proceed along it with slow and even steps, and when well 
up in it, let the hands be placed one on either side and proceed in like 
manner. While walking the body will be slanting, and the legs pro- 
jected a little, but the straighter the body is kept the better. 

The Walk. Spine and muscle practice. — Hang by the hands with 
one on either side, when, raising the body a little, lift both legs and 
carry the feet in like manner over the bar, resting the heels only on 
it, but allowing the feet to be kept as far over as possible, to prevent 
their slipping off. Now in this position walk backward and forward , 
but this will be found a little more difficult, as, at every step taken 
by the hands, the feet have to be drawn or pushed along the bar, ac- 
cording to the way in which the hands move. Let the steps be taken 
very slowly, and do not let the feet be jerked, but allow them to 
slide along easily. 

Elbow Practice. Breast the bar, and, when sufficiently high, let 
go with the right hand and carry the fore-arm over the bar from the 
front, hitching it over it at the bend of the elbow, then carry the left 
over in like manner and sustain the body in that position, letting the 
elbows be as close together, and the hands as far apart as possible, 
and when perfect in the above take one arm off the bar, and letting 
it drop down by the side support the body by the other, then repeat 
this portion of the exercise by changing arms. This will be found to 
be excellent practice for the arms, the muscles being likewise there- 
by greatly developed. 



GYMNASTICS. 19 

The Arm Chaie. Fore-arm jiractice.— Breast the bar, and rest the 
fore-arms about three inches below the elbow on it, keeping them 
bent at the elbow and remaining in that position but a short time, 
as, the nearer the bar is to the wrists, the more difficult will it be to 
support yourself. The legs should be perfectly straight with the 
body, and close together, and the head leaning a little forward, yet, 
for the sake of variety, the legs may be raised as in Letter L, page 
18, and lowered again while thus supported; this would add greatly 
to the diffiiculty of the exercise. 

Upper arm and muscle practice. Breast the bar, and, grasping i* 
firmly with the left hand, stretch the right arm out over it, letting ii 
rest upon the bar about half-way between the elbow and the shoul- 
der; then letting go with the left hand, support the body in that 
position for a short time, when regrasp the bar, and repeat the exer- 
cise by stretching the left arm over it in like manner. 

This Is a very trying feat to the gymnast, although not so to th« 
spectator ; but he has only to try it to be convinced of its difficulty, 
especially if his muscles be not up to the mark. 

As you cannot face the bar in this as in the last exercise, the legs 
must be carried a little sideways towards the bar, thereby acting as 
a counterpoise. And it must be borne in mind that the arm on the 
bar must be kept perfectly straight while supporting the body 
though the hand may be either open or clenched, but this as besi 
suits the gymnast. 

Spine Practice. Place the bar as high as the breast of the gym- 
nast, and let him stand some distance from" it, say about the dis- 
tance of his height from it, when, holding his arms straight above 
his head, with the palms of his hands turned towards the bar, and 
keeping the legs straight and the feet close together, let him fall 
straight forward without ben ding the body at the hips, and, grasps 
ing the bar on reaching it, let the body drop as far towards the 
ground as possible, but without moving the toes from their place 
although the heels are of necessity raised from the ground. 

As the body will now form a perfect semi-circle, the more difficult 
part of the exercise is to follow, viz., for the gymnast to raise the 
body into an upright position again as easily and regularly as he fell 
forward ; this at first will not be accomplished without much diffi- 
culty, but patience is all that is required. 

The Swing. Spine, kg and arm practice. Hang by the hands 
alTOut the middle of the bar, bring the legs up in front a little and sud- 



20 6TMNAST1CS. 

denly drop them, as it were, not with a jerk, t)ut by endeavoring to 
carry them out further than they were before, thereby causing them 
to describe a semi-circle, at the same time carrying the body a little- 
forward; this motion will give a sufficient impetus to the body to 
carry it back beyond, and after a little while above, the bar (see Fig. 
10), Now, by giving a somewhat similar motion to the body and 




le«rs on the body dropping again from behind, it will be again car- 
ried to the front, when the above movements must be repeated to 
continue the swing. 

It will be found that a certain strain will come upon the wrists; 
the gymnast must therefore make the utmost use of them when 
wishing to carry the body forwards, and he must likewise ease his 
hands in the backward swing when required, whereby he will be able 
to retain his hold of the bar for a much longer time. 

Do not be afraid of swinging too high, as many feats, to be here- 
after mentioned, depend greatly on the neatness of the swing, and 
the facility with which the requisite height, be it in the forward or 
backward swing, is obtained. 

Swing to and fro at least half a dozen times, not more at first, and 
on leaving the bar do so in the forward swing, and when your feet 
are rising to a level with your face ; when, by giving the body a 
slight impetus forward by a spring from the wrists, you may let ge 
your hold of the bar and alight on the ground, which jou must do on 
your toes. After a little practice you may try how far you can 
spring from the bar on alighting, but the higher the bar the greater 
the distance the momentum given to your body will carry'you. This 
is a very neat way to leave the bar, and the farther the gymnast can 



GYMNASTICS. 



21 



?IG. 1 1 



alight on his feet from it, the greater will be his after success, and 
the more graceful will his performance appear. Let him avoid, above 
all things, jerking the legs in swinging. 

The Pancake. Wrist practice. — Place the bar about two feet above 
the head of the gymnast when standing on the ground, and proceed 
as described in the last, and when the body has been swung nearly 
as high as the bar, let go your hands (the farther the gymnast 
Bprings from it tke greater the effect), and after bringing them 
smartly together, renew your hold of 
the bar and continue to swing each 
time the exercise is to be repeated, 
which should be at least three times 
before allowing the feet to touch the 
ground. It is a difficult exercise to be- 
ginners, but very soon overcome. 

It must be borne in mind, that on 
letting go the bar the gymnast must 
not do so as if he were trying to carry 
himself back from it as far as possible, 
but a slight forward spring must be 
given to, if possible, enable him to 
bring his hands together close to, if 
not just above the bar. 

To Swing by the Legs. Spine and 
Knee practice.— Hang by the legs and 
keep the feet well towards the ground, 
then move the arms and body to and 
fro (Fig. 11) to get into a good swing, 
the body being drawn up in the for- 
ward, and carried with the arms as far 
back as possible in the backward swing, and this should be practiced 
until you are able to raise the body either way level with the bar. 
This exercise will be found to be of great benefit to the knees and 
legs. 

The FAiiii, ok Leg Swing Off. Leg practice. —Rsing by the legs 
and keep the feet well towards the ground (Fig. 11), then proceed 
with the Leg Swing, as in the last, and when sufficiently high in the 
backward swing, i e., with the face downwards on the body rising, 
unhitch the legs as in Fig. 12, and you will alight safely on your feet. 
It win frequently occurr until you are able to do this exercise prop- 




22 GTMNASTICS. 

erly, yiz. : until you learn the precise time when the legs ought to be 
disengaged from the bar, that you will fall on all-fours; thi^ Is 
owing to the legs being unhitched too soon ; but this is of no im- 
portance, as by practice that slight mishap will soon be overcome. 

The Leg Swing. Hip and leg practice.— Swing by the legs with 
the knees a few inches apart, then in the forward swing bring the 
body up, grasp the bar between the legs with both hands, and open- 
ing the legs straight, thereby unhitching them, carry them back 
clear under the bar, and either alight on the ground, or accomplish 
some other exercise. 

Do this exercise slowly at first, and, when perfect in bringing the 
legs from over the bar as required, it should be done as if the whole 
were one simultaneous movement, no pause taking place from the 



Fia. VL. 




time the body is raised until the feet are free ; therefore the whole 
must be effected before the body returns in the backward swing, and, 
to look well, it should be done very quickly. 

Leg Swing Catch.— Proceed as described in the last exercise but 
two, and on the body rising sufficiently high, and just as the legs are 
being unhitched, turn the body, and, bringing it up while in the 
swing, grasp the bar with both hands, without allowing the feet to 
touch the ground. 

As a finish to this exercise the legs may now be again carried 
between the arms and hitched over the bar, when, by letting go the 
hands, achieve the last exercise but one . 

Aem and Wrist Practice.— Hang on the bar, and pull the body 
slowly up; then raise one of the elbows well up above the bar, say 
the right one, so as to throw the whole weight of the body on the 



GYMNASTICS. 23 

right wrist, wliicli can only be done by getting tlie fore-arm as per- 
pendicular as possible; then, as soon as the elbow is raised, let go 
with the left hand, which will cause the body to turn a little out of 
its position, and suspend the body by right arm. On letting go with 
the left hand, let it drop straight down by the side, and bringing it up 
again, grasp the bar with it, then lower the elbow of the right arm, 
and lower the body by straightening both of them. Pull the body up 
again, and repeat the exercise with the left elbow up. 

One of the difficulties of this exercise consists in the lowering of 
the body and raising it again directly between each change, which 
might be made three times, whereby each arm will be brought into 
use twice. 

As this is somewhat difficult at first, the gymnast would do well 
not to tire the body too much by trying to do more than one change 
at first; and until that can be effected clearly, without the least hitch 
in doing it, he ought not to attempt a second. The same advice 
is equally applicable to the making of the third change, yet the 
exercise has many good points to recommend it. 

To Touch the Bar with the Toes. Leg practice.— GYaLS^gt the 
bar near to the end with both hands, one on either side, and with the 
face towards the length of it. 

Draw the body gradually up by bending the arms well until the 
head touches, or, if preferred, until it be above the bar, when the 
shoulder will touch it, then slowly raise the legs straight up until 
able to touch the bar with the toes, without either altering the posi- 
tion of the body by moving the arms, or by bending the legs other- 
wise than at the hips. 

To Rise above the Bar. Circling the Bar. Arm and muscle 
practice.— Ketng on the bar carrying the legs above the bar instead of 
under, then, by pulling the body up with the arms, and with a slight 
motion of the wrist, carry the legs completely over the bar, in going 
over which they will act as a sort of balance to your body, and with 
the assistance of your arms the body will be brought into the re- 
quired position. 

As a means of enabling a young gymnast to circle the bar sooner 
than by the method just described, let him fix the bar about as high 
as his breast, when, after having placed his hands on the bar, with a 
step forward, he might give his legs that impetus upwards which 
will carry him over the bar much more quickly ; but in so doing the 
legs must be straightened (see Fig. 13), and carried over the bar by th^ 



24 



GYMNASTICS. 



simultaneous motion of the arms, especially the wrists. This will, 
in a very short time, enable him to do it as lirst described, when the 
bar should be raised high enough to cause the gymnast to jump up 
to reach it. 

This, to a beginner, is a difficult and annoying exercise. Difficult, 
because he is very likely to be a long time before he is able to do it 
to perfection ; annoying, because his shins are sure to suffer if he 
Fig. X3, Fio. 14. 




does not go over the bar as he intended. Yet, when once accom- 
plished, no exercise will be found more easy. 

The Slow Pull up.— Breast the bar, then endeavor to raise the 
body above the bar. This must at first be done by bringing one arm 
up at a time, first the right arm, then the left, raising the elbows up 
as high as possible (see Fig. 14), when, by leaning the head forward 
over the bar, and carrying the legs a little out in front, which greatly 
assist you, as all your strength will be required, you must raise the 
body up by strengthening the arms. This will call all the muscles of 



GYMNASTICS. 



25 



?\Q. 15. 



the arms into full use, as well as the wrists, and consequently 
requires some little practice to be able to achieve it. The thumb? 
must be on the opposite side of the bar to the fingers, and the exer- 
cise should be persevered in until you are able to bring up both arms 
at once. 

The Slow Pull up. Hang by the bar, with the hands so far over 
it that the body shall be suspended entirely by the wrists, and pro- 
ceed as described in the last, but with this difference— that in this 
the arms are both made use of together ; and the lower the exercise 
is done the better, as the main difficulty is in the raising the body up 
without holding the bar at all with the 
hands. 

Another Exercise. Hang by the 
hands and throw the right leg over the 
bar on the right hand side of them, 
then, by swinging the left leg to and 
fro somewhat similarly to the ordinary 
swing, give it a kind of jerk on the 
backward swing, which, assisted by the 
wrists, will enable you, by throwing 
the body a little forward, to raise it 
above the bar. Kepeat the exercise by 
throwing the left leg over the bar. 

Another Exercise. Hang by the 
hands, and bring the right leg between 
the arms, and bend it firmly over the 
bar, pointing the toos towards the 
ground, then, with the impetus as in 
the last, bring the body above the 
bar. (Fig. 15.) This exetcise should be repeated with the left leg 
over the bar. 

■ Another Exercise. Swing, and in the forward swing up th*^ 
right leg and carry it over the bar in the manner described in the last 
two exercises, but, in doing this, carry it over the bar on the other 
side of the left hand, then, at the turn of the swing, give the requisite 
downward motion with the left leg, and v. ith the aid of the wrists 
rise above the bar. Let this be practiced well, and, when able to dc 
it freely, carry the left leg over the bir instead, and repeat the exer- 
cise, and do not be satisfied unless able to make use of the one as 
well as the other. 




26 



GYIMNASTIOS. 



f!&i»- 



It being someAvhat more difficult than either of the tvro preceding 
metliods, it should be well persevered in, as it is a decided improve- 
ment in the style of the exercise. 

To EiSE Above THE Bak, The Jeek. Wris^irrac/ice.— This exer- 
cise differs in two things only from that previously described, viz., 
first, that it is done without a swing ; and secondly, that the arms 
are here to be kept straight. 

Hang on the bar, bring the legs up in the front straight, and, leaning 
the head back a little (Fig. 16) jerk or carry the legs down suddenly, 
making the feet describe a semi-circle, and by the strength of the 
wrists, without bending the arms in the least, raise the body above the 
bar. The momentum given by the sudden motion of the legs greatly 

assists the wrists in the f ullil- 
ment of their duty. 

This exercise wil4 require 
constant practice to overcome 
all difficulties, and, when able 
to achieve it let the gymnast 
practice it with the hands re- 
versed, thereby bringing the 
fingers towards him. 

To Rise above the Bab. 
Circling the Bar. Ai-m and 
muscle practice. — Grasp the 
bar with the arms across, 
and, without letting the body 
turn either to the right or to 
the left, according to whichever arm is underneath, circle the bar 
as in a former exercise ; but it will be found to be a little more diffi- 
cult to achieve, yet a little perseverance will enable it to be sooner 
overcome. 

To Rise above the Bar. Circling the Bar. Spine, arm and 
muscle practice.— Gr&sp the bar with the arms across, and proceed to 
circle it as before, but in so doing the body is to be carried up per- 
fectly straight, and on no account is it to be allowed to slide offside- 
ways on to the bar. The chief obstacle that presents itself in this 
exercise is the pressing of the elbows against the stomach on bring- 
ing the body up, by which it will be seen that this method of circling 
the bar is very difficult, even to a skillful gymnast, until he has prac- 




GYMNASTICS. 



27 



ticed it a few times; yet, with a little patience and perseverance, it i,s 
to be accomplislied. 

To Sit on the Bar. The Plymouth. Spine practice; Slow Move- 
ment— Bring the legs through, and in carrying them over the bar 
let them be a little bent, then, bending the body well back, and turn- 
ing the head back as far as possible, i. e., the face towards the 
ground, and the farther you look along the ground the better, 
whereby the body is the better kept in that position, and which en- 
ables the exercise to be more easily done, raise the body up by 
the aid of your arms; then, when the X'^jq, 17. 

bar is a little over the seat (Fig. 17), 
by bending the legs more over it, 
which acts as a sort of leverage to the 
body, you will be enabled to bring it 
over and assume a sitting posture. But 
your own judgment must be used as 
to the best time to do so, for, when the 
bar touches the center of the back, 
the arms must do the remainder of the 
work, but do not pull yourself too far 
over the bar, otherwise, in assuming 
the sitting posture, a beginner is very 
likely to fall forward, which would not 
be very pleasant for his arms; but 
should such a mishap occur, it will be 
well for him to give a slight spring 
forward and alight on the ground in front of the bar. This method 
of sitting on the bar is sure to give greater satisfaction than by sim- 
ply circling it, and it requires but a little constant practice to be 
able to achieve it adroitly, the one chief point, next to the raising 
of the body, being to bend tl.e head well back and bend the legs 
well over the bar. Omit these, and the exercise is rendended all 
the more difficult to be achieved. 

The Slide. Spine practice.— Proceed as described in the last exer- 
cise, and when your body is fairly over the bar, let it slide forward, 
and, on its dropping, give a little sudden spring forward with the 
wrists, letting go the bar and alighting on the ground as far from it 
as possible, but let the arms be brought up a little to free them from 
the bar. 

The Balance. Spine practice.— Again proceed as described in the 




28 GYMNASTICS. 

preceding: exercise, and, when the bar reaches the center of the back, 
allow the head to han? down backward, and by letting go your hands 
in order to sustain j^ourself on the bar without falling over either 
side, thereby balancing yourself. (See Fig. 18.) Stretching the hands 
over the head, or waving them backward and forward will greatly 
assist you, but it needs a little practice to be able to do it fearlessly. 
Slide Catch.— Achieve the Slide, and on the bar reaching the cen- 
ter of the back, balance yourself for a moment, throwing the arms 
well over the head, which bend back as far as able, then let th© body 
slide forward over the bar, without altering the position of the hands ; 
but, when it is fairly dropping, raise the head, and giving the body a 
turn to bring the face towards the bar, grasp the bar with your 



FiQf»a.8 




hands. This is a very pretty and neat exercise, if cleanly done, and 
only requires a little practice. 

Balance Practice. Mount above the bar by either of the meth- 
ods described in the foregoing exercises, and throw either leg over 
it, when, by placing the hands in front of you, with the fingers of 
each hand on opposite sides of the bar, thereby causing the elbows 
to be brought towards the body, sit astride it as on a saddle. (See 
Fig 20.) Now, by keeping the arms perfectly straight and upright, 
bend the body up in [front, which will cause the head to be carried 
somewhat forward, and enable you to raise yourself completely oIT 
the bar ; but in doing this, the legs should be bent both at the hips 
a,nd knees, thereby assuming a sitting posture. 

While achieving this exercise, the bar is not to be touched by any 
other of the body than the hands, as the body is to be supported In 



GYMNASTICS. 29 

equilibrium upon them. In grasping tlie bar the thumbs should not 
be on the same side of the bar as the fingers of each hand. 

To Stand on the Bar. Balancing practice. Proceed as in the 
iast exercise, and continue to raise the body and legs until the feet 
can be placed upon the bar, the right before the left, when let go your 
hold of it, slowly rise, but while so doing hold the arms out, one on 
either side, to assist you in balancing yourself while endeavoring to 
effectuate the exercise, which should be well persevered in until able 
to carry it through without the least hesitation or sign of fear. If 
preferred, the bar may be put at about three feet from the ground 
until perfect in it. 

The Vault. Mount above the bar, and grasp it firmly with the 
fingers on the outside, then, after moving the legs to and fro side- 
ways two or three times, carry them over the bar, as shown in the 
y illustration (Fig 19), then, 

letting go with the hands, 
alight on the ground, which 
must be done on the toes. 

The bar should not be too 
high from the ground at 
first, as it is easy, after a 
little time, to raise it, foj, 
the higher the bar, the 
greater the effect in achiev- 
ing the exercise. 

To Lie ON the Bar. Bal- 
ancing practice.— Slit astride 
the bar as on a saddle, then lean gradually back until your head 
touches it, then place your legs also on it, keeping them perfectly 
straight. 

Perhaps the above will to some appear impossible. If so, do it 
thus : in leaning back, place the feet under the bar, to steady your- 
self. If that is not sufficient, put your hands on the bar behind you , 
or, in leaning back, let your arms hang over the head until the hands 
touch the bar, when steady yourself whilst you place the feet on the 
bar. 

After the body is out straight the arms may be allowed to hang 
loosely by the side, folded across the chest, or placed in any position 
the gymnast may think proper. 
The arms may likewise be moved about so as to test the feat, or 




30 



GYMNASTICS. 



Fig. 20. 



the legs may hang loosely on either side of the Dar, eCh ol wbicn wiH 
add greatly to the exercise. 

The Jockey. Balancing practice. — This exercise is not so much to 
look at whilst being done by another ; but it is more difficult to 
achieve than will at first appear. 

Sit astride the bar, as in the last exercise, bring the elbows against 
the sides, lean forward so as to lift yourself from the bar (Fig. aO) ; when 
in that position, move the hands alternately along the bar, very slowly 
at first, and practice until able to run along the bar very quickly, and 
when perfect in the above, the gym- 
nast can yary his movements similar 
to some of the steps in dancing, es- 
pecially the advancing and retiring step 
in the quadrille, but the body must not 
on any account be allowed to touch the 
bar during the performing of a certain 
motion or figure. 

To Hang by the Legs. — Rise above 
the bar and sit on it, then, placing one 
hand on either side of you, gradually 
slide back over the bar, and lean the 
body forward until the bar reaches the 
bend of the knee, when, grasping it 
firmly, and bending the legs well under 
it, let the body fall gently backwards, 
and when steady let go with the hands. 

This is a method often required to 
hang by the legs, and should therefore 
be practiced, as it enables you to shift 
from one exercise to another. 

The Hindoo Punishment, or Mus- 
cle Grind. Muscle and spine practice. — Sit on the bar and sink 
down, but letting the arms slip (one at a time first) backwards over 
the bar, when the hands can either be clasped across the chest, or 
grasp a belt, which may be worn round the waist if preferred (See 
Fig. 21) ; then, moving the legs and body to and fro with a stronger 
impetus with the legs, carry the body round the bar, .which motion 
must be repeated, on the body falling over, every time the gym- 
nast wishes to go round. This should not be more than three 
times at first, owing to the friction and rubbing which the arms will 




GYMNASTICS. 



31 



get until more used to it, and until such is the case they will be 
very red and tender after each practice— so much so, that the gym 
nast will not like to repeat it for a day or two ; but that miust not b« 
noticed too much, as the oftener the muscles are thus exercised the 
less will be the notice taken of the results in future. 
This exercise is reversed by carrying the legs and body up in front 



Fig. 21 



Fio. 33. 





instead, thereby revolving round the other way, but the arras remain 
the same ; and in this, as in many other exercises before and here- 
after mentioned, the legs must be made good use of. The gymnast, 
when perfect in either way, but generally the first, would do well to 
try how many times he can go round, or at least from twelve to 
twenty times. Do not descend from the bar for a short time until 
the giddiness be worn off, or else achieve the reverse way two or 



82 GYMNASTICS. 

three times ; and if not able to do it by yourself, a little assistance 
should not be refused. 

Hand Grind. Proceed as in the last, but instead of bringing the 
arms down behind the bar and grasping the belt, or folding them 
across the chest, as therein stated, stretch the arms out at the sides, 
and grasp the bar a little underneath, but with the thumb upper- 
most ; then, while in that position, revolve round the bar as before, 
though the pressure there will be found to be more upon the back 
than in the last. 

The HAiiF-FALL Back and Swing Off.— Sit on the bar with the 
legs bent well under, so as to hold it close to the bend of the knees, 
and with the arms extended downwards over the knees, then, lean- 
ing the body well forward to balance yourself, and to give it a greater 
distance to go, throw yourself back over the bar with as great an 
impetus as you can ; in fact, try to throw yourself off it : the moment 
tum thus given will cause the body to rise up on the other side, then 
when the head rises nearly as high as the bar. as in Fig. 12, you car 
unhitch the legs, and you will alight safely on the ground. In doin§ 
this and the next exercise the using of the arms is indispensable, 
they should consequently be used freely; therefore do not be afraid 
of flinging yourself off with too great a force, for the greater the 
rorce used the better, as it will lead to the executin,' of much more 
difficult exercises; still, when achieved properly, the gymnast will 
soon learn what amount of impetus must be given to carry the V-ody 
to the required height prior to his unhitching his legs. That will 
come by practice only, but this exercise is sure to receive great ap- 
probation, especially if done fearlessly, and with a determination to 
succeed. 

The Turnover.— Mount above the bar, and turning the fingers 
toward you, bring the hands and elbows close together, then lean for- 
ward so as to rest the body on the elbows, and, by a gentle motion, 
steadying yourself to keep the fore-arms in the same postion, carry 
the legs up behind and finally, the whole body (Fig. 22) when, on the 
body passing over the bar and falling, let go your hands, and alight 
on the ground taking care to do so on your toes. (See the next exer- 
cise.) 

The momentum given to the body in turning over is sure to cause 
the gymnast to alight on his feet. It requires but a little nerve to do 
it properly the first time. 

TSE Back HORiiiONTAL. Spine and muscle practice.— This and the 



*Ymnastios. 



following exercise requires great strength in the muscles of the arms, 
as well as in the spine of the back, and is only to be acquired by 
practice, with a determination to succeed. 

Grasp the bar, and go through the arms ; but on carrying the legs 
through rais3 them up straight with the body, then, keeping them in 
that position, lower them until they are horizontal, as represented 
in Fig. 23, and, after having remained thus for a short time, either 
drop to the ground, or carry the body back again through the arms, 
or else achieve the Slide. The latter should be perf erred. 

Continual perseverance and practice are required to achieve this 
exercise to perfection, i. e. without any apparent strain upon the 
muscles. 
Sit on the bar by any method preferred, then, grasping it with the 

knuckles turned backwards, 
and the thumb on the same 
side as the lingers, let the 
body slide forward until able 
to bring the legs perfectly 
straight with it, at the same 
time keeping the arms per- 
fectly straight. The now 
relative position of the arms 
and body nmst as near as 
possible be retained, as the 
gymnast must carry the 
body forward and downward and the legs backward, grasping the 
bar very firmly with the hands, and putting the whole of the muscles 
into full play, to enable him to lower himself gradually without 
bending the arms, and on no account is the required position to be 
assumed with a jerk (see Fig. 23), as it is to be done by the full use of 
the wrists and the muscles of the arms, the spine being exercised iu 
keeping the body horizontally. 

The Front Horizontal. Spinal and muscle practice. — This exer- 
cise is better achieved on the rings, but it can nevertheless be done 
by raising the legs well up in front and carrying them above the bar. 
until straight upright with the body; then, keeping the arms 
straight and the body also in the same position, lower it gradually 
until it assumes the position required (Fig. 24). This will be found to 
be a little more difficult to carry into effect than the Back Horizon- 
tal, but persevere and conquer. 




u 



dtMNASTrd^. 



• The Gkasshopper. Wrist, arm, and muscle practice. —This is a 
very difficult exercise, especially to beginners. As in this exercise 
the whole of the weight ot the body will be upon the wrists, it need 
be done the first time with care. 

Either circle the bar and sit on it, but changing the position of the 
hands on going over, and, when the body is falling forward, which 
must be very gradual, allow it to sink until the arms are nearly bent 
double, when the bar will be touching the middle of the back. Grasp 
the bar firmly, and let the fore-arms be as upright as possible ; the 



FlQ. S4 




legs may, to assist in the balance, be bent a little back. The thumbs 
are on the same side as the fin;4-ers. Now, when in this position, 
first move the hands alternately along the bar, and when able to do 
that easily, with a slight jerk with the legs, aided with a strong 
spring with the wrists, move them to and fro both at once, thereby 
giving the action the appearance of a grasshopper. Do not remain 
too long in this position until the arms and wrists are more accus- 
tomed to it, as it will require to be well practiced ere it can be ef- 
fected with freedom and ease. 



GYMNASTICS. g^ 



THE PARALLEL BARS. 

The difference between the action of the body and arms on the 
Parallel Ears and that on the Horizontal Bar, renders it equally at- 
tractive to the spectator and to the gymnast. On no account should 
they be slighted, and not practiced upon, as they tend very much to 
strengthen and develop the chest, muscles of the arms, muscles of 
the back, abdomen, etc. ; but, owing to the using of the legs in var- 
io!isexerciseson the horizontal bar, it enables the gymyast to per- 
form a greater number of exercises upon it than upon this apparatus. 
Moreover, the manner of changing or passing from one exercise to 
another, to enable him to consummate from half a dozen to twenty 
or more different movements without stopping, teaving the bar, or 
touchingtheground with his feet, causes the single bar again to be 
the favorite ; but, on the other hand, there are a great many exer- 
cises, both preliminary and otherwise, capable of being achieved up- 
on the parallel bars, that cannot be thought of for the horizontal. 

EXERCISE ON THE PARALLEL BARS. 

To Mount Between the Baes.— Stand between the bars with the 
hands hanging loosely by the sides, spring up, and placing a hand 
on either bar, with the fingers on the outside and the thumb inside, 
keep yourself suspended for a short time. The legs must be kept 
perfectly straight and close together, and the toes pointing slight!}' 
downwards (See Fig. 25.) 

To dismount, give a slight spring upwards, at the same time lift- 
ing the hands from off the bars and carrying the arms in front of 
you, or over your head, else they may come in contact with the bars 
on your alighting on the ground, which you must do on your toes. 

To Walk along the Bars. Arm practice. — Suspend yourself be- 
tween the bars at the ends, with the face towards their length, and 
move the hands alternately along them. This must be done without 
bringing the shoulders out of their place, or hasty and irregular 
steps being made, the body or legs twisted about, or any like irregu- 



GYMNASl'lOS. 



larity ; and when the opposite end has been reached, the walk must 
be repeated backwards to the point of starting, which will be a little 
tedious at first, but after a littie practice it will become quite easy. 
The arms must be kept perfectly straight, or the exercise, which 
must be practiced well with the lingers on the inside of the bars, as 
well as outside, will become much more difficult to beginners than it 
really is. Therefore, to succeed, you must make the steps slowly 

and regularly, and keep|the 
^^^ 83* arms and legs straight. 

TheCbamp. Legandwriat 
practice. — This exercise is 
nothing more than walking 
with rthe hands, but, in lieu 
of the legs being straight 
with the body, they are bent 
into a sitting posture, and 
kept in that position during 
the process of walking. 

Mount between the bars, 
and: 

First.— In advancing the 
right arm lift up the right 
or left leg, as if ascending a 
flight of steps, and do the 
same with the left arm. 

Second.— In drawing up 
the leg on advancing one 
arm, put it down when the 
other is advanced. 

Third.— Bring up both legs 
every time one arm is ad- 
vanced, and send them down 
sharply when the other Is 
brought forward. 
Fourth.— Every time either arm is advanced, lift both legs at once, 
and jerk them down again smartly before you make another step 
with your arm. 

The whole of the above should be well practiced, as by them, es- 
pecially the latter, the strength of the grasp is very much tested. 
The arms must on no account be allowed to bend through the 




GTJD^ASTICS. 37 

action of the legs, as that would show great weakness in those 
parts. 

To Hop along the Bars. Arm practice.— This exercise tries th« 
strength of the wrist very much, andlikewise the patience of embryo 
gymnasts, and to perform it the pupil must mount between the bars, 
but instead of moving the hands alternately, they are to be moved 
both at the same time in very short steps, the legs being kept per 
fectly straight while it is being performed. 

The hop may be done by bending the arms a little, thereby sinking 
the shoulders, and straightening them again suddenly, or by raising 
the legs a little, and dropping or jerking them down again directly. 




To Swing.— To get perfect freedom in the arms and wrists the 
swing is an exercise to be both practiced and persevered in ; there- 
fore, while suspended between the bars, the learner must swing the 
legs and body to and fro, very little at first, until he can with safety 
increase it ; but not a mere swaying of the legs and body to and fro, 
like the pendulum of a clock, where there is no difference in the pos- 
of them in either the forward or backward swing, the center of grav- 
ity being at the shoulders only, which is generally the performance 
of most embryo gymnasts, more, especially if they are not young in 
years; for, besides the action given at the shoulders, the legs are also 
to be bent both at the hips and knees, at the latter but little, and the 
body is to be raised much higher in the backward (Fig. 26) than In 



38 



GYIVINASTICS. 



the forward swing (Fig. 27). The legs must be kept close together, 
and in increasing the swing they are to be made to do their utmost, 
more especially in the forward swing, where they are brought up 

P5tQ. a? 




well in front, as will be seen on referring to the illustration (Fig. 27), 
then carried down with increased impetus, describing a part of a 
circle in so doing, which gives a sufficient momentum to the body to 




enable it to oe raised up as in Fig. 26. In either case, the feet must 
be carried as high as the head— if higher, the better ; but in the back- 
ward swing the body will be, parallel with the bars, although many, 



GYMNASTICS. 



in swinging, carry it up nearly as high as required for a hand bal- 
ance. 

The Akm Swing. Fore-arrn practice. — Mount between the bars, 
grasp them firmly, and let the body sink so as to allow the fore-arms 
to rest on them (Fig. 28); then while in that position, swing the legs 
to and fro, as described in the last exercise, without letting the el- 
bows slip off the bars and practice it, until you can raise the body 
■upright above the bar, when straighten the arms. 

To Bbing the Legs over.— Mount between the bars and swing, 
then, in the forward swing (Fig. 27), carry both legs over the left- 
hand bar, as in Fig. 29, 
or allow the body to 
slide over the bar until 
it reaches the hips. 

Now, by giving the 
legs an upward motion, 
assisted by the arms, 
raise the legs over the 
bar, and allowing them 
to drop between them, 
carry them over the 
right-hsind bar the next 
time they raise on the 
forward swing, which 
might be repeated ad 
libitum. This exercise 
may be thus varied: 
throw the legs over 
the right-hand bar, as already stated, but on bringing them back 
again, instead of allowing them to drop between the bars, carry 
them directly over the left, when the exercise might be repeated 
three or four times to advantage ; but this will require greater exer- 
tion. 

The J anus.— Mount between the bars in the middle, and throw a 
leg over each in front of your hands. Grasp the bars firmly, and 
with a spring bring the legs between the bars, an^ carry them up 
behind you, but in so doing cross the legs, as in Fig. 30, and in giving 
the body a slight twist allow them to rest on the opposite bars, when 
the right leg will be on the left-hand bar, and the left leg on the 
right-hand bar. (See Fig. 31.) Do not always turn your body the 




40 



GTMNASTIOS. 



same way, nor let the same leg be always uppermost in crossing: 
them. This exercise should be repeated two or three times in suc- 
cession by altering the position of the hands, and placing them each 



Fig. 30 




on the other bar, thereby bringing the body straight as before, but 
with the face looking a different way. 

The Barbeb's Cuel. Muscle and spine practice. —Hta,nd between 
the bars, and grasp them with the knuckles uppermost and the 
thumb on the same side as the lingers, then sinking down, straighten 
the knees into a sitting posture, as in tlie next exercise. Now bring 




the legs gradually over between the arms (Fig. 32), till they perform 
a circle, or until they come nearly down to the ground (Fig. 33), 
and after staying in that position for a short time, carry theu). i:>»*^ 



GYMNASTIdS. 



41 



Fig. 3 2 



again quite as slow as you brought them over. The knees must be 
kept perfectly straight, and the feet kept off the ground the whole of 
the time. Though this is difficult to beginners and makes the arms 
ache, it is nevertheless easily performed after a little practice. 

To KisE AND Fall Below the Baes, or the Letter L. Muscle 
practice.— Hang from the bars as in the last exercise, and in carrying 

the legs out in front bend 
them only at the hips, 
and raising them up hor- 
izontally they will, with 
the body, assume the 
shape of a letter L, from 
which the exercise takes 
its name. Now, while 
in this position, gradu- 
ally pull the body up by 
bending the arms at the 
elbows and shoulders un- 
til the upper part of the 
arms are parallel with 
the bars, as in Fig. 34, 
then, after having remained thus for a short time, gradually lower 
yourself again. The most difficult part of the exercise is, that on 
raising the body as just stated, the legs are to be kept in exactly 
the same position as they were before you began, i. e., horizontal 
(See Fig. 34), and the exercise must be persevered in, arms and legs 
achieving their respective parts, without allowing the latter to bend 
or drop. Though this is difficult at first to beginners, it is soon 
achieved by practice. 

To Rise and Sink above the Bars. Muscle practice.— Mount 
between the bars, grasp them firmly, and, allowing the head and 
chest to project a little forward, lower the body gradually by bend- 
ing the arms, and carrying the elbows well up over each respective 
bar, until your body assumes the position shown in Fig. 35, but 
without allowing the feet to touch the ground; then, by trying to 
straighten your arms, gradually raise the body again without allow- 
ing it or the legs to move or turn about. At first tliis will test the 
whole strength of your muscles to their utmost; but take it easy, as, 
after a few times trying, you will And that it is not quite so difficult 
to execute as it at tirst appeared. 




42 



GYMNASTICS. 



The muscles of the chest, and more especially those connected 
with the shoulders, derive the greatest benefit from this exercise. 
Under these circumstances no pupil ought to be allowed to pass it 




over, as many are tempted to do, from the seeming pain caused by 
the weight of the body upon the shoulders by the arms being bent 
back. 

Pig. 3 4. 




To KiSE AND FALii ABOVE THE BARS. One arm pyacf ice.— Mount 
between the bars, grasping them firmly with the fingers outwards 
and the thumbs inwards, and, 



GtYMNASTlCS. 



43 



i?V>s^— Gradually lower the body as in the last exercise (Fig. 35), 
then lean body a little toward the left, and straighten the right arm 
without at all altering the position of the left more than the nature 
of the exercise will require; now lower it again, and by leaning 
towards the right rise the left arm in like manner, repeating the 
exercise very slowly ad libitum. 

Second.— On sinking down keep the right arm straight and 
straighten the left before bend- Eio. 3 s . 

ing the right, or sink down 
with the right while straight- 
ening the left, and vice versa; 
or else lower one side and then 
the other before raising it. 

T/iird.— Sink down and rest 
the fore-arms on the bar, and 
proceed as given in the first 
method above. 

Fov/rth.—Achie\e the exercise 
by resting on the fore-arms, 
but in the manner stated in the 
second method. 

The Long Kun. Arm prac- 
tice. — Mount between the bars 
at the ends as before, and when 
the body is in a good swing, 
and raised as in Fig, 26, viz., in 
the backward swing, make as 
many alternate movements of 
the hands along the bars as 
you can before the legs are 
allowed to drop, and stopping 
as soon as they do so, repeat- 
ing the exercise every time [the body is thus raised till the opposite 
ends of the bars are reached. 

The pupil must not expect to take more than two, or three steps 
at the outside, at first, but by a little patience and practice he will 
soon be able to take five or six easily. 

The Long Leap, or The Pumping Movement (Forward). Arm 
and wrist practice.— This exercise requires great strength in the 
wrists and muscles, and must therefore be continually practiced, or 




u 



GYMNASTICS. 



it will be utterly impossible for the pupil ever to accomplish it to per- 
fection, and with that perfect ease and freedom of action which the 
nature of the exercise demands, and without which its beauty and 
advantageous results will be entirely lost. 

Proceed with tne swing as before described, and in the backward 
swing (Fig. 20) bend the arms, thereby sinking the body as in Fig. 36, 
before the legs have had time to drop; then, on the body rising in 
the forward swing (Fig. 27), carry up the legs well in front, at the 
same time taking a sudden spring with the wrists, advance as far 
along the bars as practicable, but in short steps at first, as after a 
little time you will be able so to increase it as to go the length of the 
bars in three, if not in two, springs or jumps. On alighting on the 
bars, the^arms are to be straightened, as in Fig. 27, and proceeding 

with the backward swing, prior 
'*^^*-*' to allowing the body to sink 

again, when it may be repeated 
as often as convenient, but 
without overtiring yourself, 
until able to take the leap as 
already described. 

The Pumping Movement 
(backward). Ar^n and wrist 
practice.— When the ends of the 
bars are reached in the last 
exercise, the gymnast must 
achieve this exercise by revers- 
ing the motion, viz., allow the body to sink in the forward swing, and 
on the body rising in the backward swing, give a backward spring, 
alighting on the bar with straightened arms, then sink down again 
and continue the exercise to the end of the bars. 

The Bend. /Spine practice.— ^tajid outside the bars with your face 
towards them, grasp them firmly with your hands, letting the 
knuckles be uppermost, and with a spring carry your legs under the 
bar you are holding and over the other (see Fig. 37), then, by using 
your arms (without moving your hands from the bar), and with a 
slight forward motion of the body, carry it over the second bar, and 
when the middle of the back reaches it, provided your head be free 
of the first, make a slight spring with your arms which will cause 
you to slide over the second bar and alight on your feet, but on 
alighting let the toes be pointed to the ground. 




GTIVINASTICS. 



45 



Another method of doing it is to grasp the bar, and, springing up, 
carry the legs and body over the second, and giving the spring with 
the arms directly, go over the other without any apparant pause ; 
this would be the more easily done were the gymnast to raise his 
legs well up in carrying them over, which, with the after spring, 
would after a little practice enable it to be done without touching, or 
at least but very little, the other bar. 

The whole of the body must pass freel y between the bars and over 
the second, and on no account is any part of it to be turned on one 
side while achieving this exercise, which causes the spine to bend 
freely, but many a young gymnast abandons it, owing to that action 
giving him some reason to think it hurts him; yet, after having 




done it three or four times, it will not be found to be so difficult, and 
therefore he will be able to do it with ease to his back and satisfac- 
tion to himself. 

To Eoiiij OVER THE Baes. Spine practice.— >iit on one of the bars 
with both legs on the outside, and grasp that bar with both hands, 
one on either side of you, with the knuckles uppermost, then lean 
back on the other bar and rest the back of the neck on it, when bring 
the legs over the bar on which your neck rests, thereby causing the 
body to rise with them, as in Fig. 38, and by letting go your hands 
when the whole body is nearlv over the second bar, you will alight 
safely on your feet. 

This exercise must be done tolerably quick, otherwise your legs 
will not be forward enough to fall when you let go your hands, and 



46 



GYMNASTICS. 



th© consequences may be somewhat disagreeable, though it is a very 
neat exercise if performed with agility and without fear. 

The Sausage. Spine practice.— iSlount between the bars about the 
middle, with the fingers on the outside, bend up the legs and hitch 
the toes over them behind the hands, letting them point outwards. 
Now pass the hands farther towards their ends of the bars, and when 
they and the feet are sufHciently far apart, let the body sink down as 
low as possible ; in fact, when in this position you must occupy as 
great a length of the bars as possible, by working the hands forward 
and the toes backward. (See Fig. 39.) 

The pupil must now endeavor to rise, which at first he will not be 
cible to do properly, for he will either not be able to rise at all, or else 
tie will so far forget himself as p^^ „ o 

to let his toes drop off from the 
bars; yet after a little perse- 
verance the difficulty will be 
easily overcome, as the whole 
secret rests in the muscles and 
spine, which will be put to their 
full test. It is accomplished 
by first raising the head and 
shoulders above the bars by 
bending the arms, when the 
elbows are to be brought up- 
permost ; after that Is achieved, 
the rest is easy. Until able 
to do it otherwise one arm 
may be brought up at a 
time, but this should not be attempted after the first few at- 
tempts. 

The Pancake. Ann practice.— Blount between the bars, and swing: 
until your body in the backward swing be parallel with the bars (see 
Fig. 26), or until you think you can hold on to the bars no longer; 
when such is the case, release your hold and endeavor, whilst in the 
air, to clap the hands (see Fig. 40), and on falling catch hold of the 
bars again without allowing the feet to touch the ground, repeatmg 
the exercise at least three times without resting. It will make the 
arms ache at first, but, notwithstanding that, it is to be easily 
achieved. 

The Front Horizontai*. ISpine and muHc.le pmciu-^.— Grasp the 




GTMNASTICS. 



47 



ends of the bars with the fingers uppermost, and, stooping down, 
until the arms are straight, carry the legs straight out in front, 
when raise them and the body up until they assume the required 
position (see Fig . 24). 

Fig. 39. 



r ^m . 




The Back Hokizontal. Spine and muscle practice.— Grasp the 
ends of the bars with the fingers uppermost, sink down and carrying 
the legs out in front and raise thi^m and the body upright, then, 
keeping the whole of the body perfectly straight, gradually lower it 
until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 23, 

Fi^.40. 




The BAiiANCE. Wrist and muscle practice.— Mount between the 
bars, and bending the legs up behind at the same time lifting the 
hody up, bring the knees upon them, letting the toes point outward, 
find kneel. 



48 GTMNASTICS. 

Now lean forward, and rest the right shoulder on the right-hsili 
bar, as close to the hand as possible, then gradually raise your le^ 
into the air until they are perfectly straight and perpendicular to 
the bars, when, after having rested thus for a short time, grasp the 
bars very firmly, and with a slow motion with the arms carry your 

Pio.41. Tig. 42. 




body, without altering its position, across the width of the bars (Fig 
41), and rest the left shoulder on the other bar. 

This exercise should be done as often as convenient, without allow- 
ing the legs to be bent. The wrists will here be tried very much, but 
will afterwards be found to have gained strength in doing it. 



6TMNASTICg. 4& 

The Hand Balance, or to Stand on the Hands. Arm vmi 
wrist practice.— Proceed as in last exercise, and having fairly bal- 
anced yourself as there described, bring your body equi-distant be- 
tween the bars, and gradually raise it by straightening the arms, 
when bend the body a little back, to ensure a good balance (See Y\g. 
42). 

Stay in that position for a short time, then lower yourself again, 
and linish with some showy exercise. 

After having practiced the above for sometime, it would be well 
for the gymnast to mount between the bars, swing very high, es- 
pecially in the backward swing, and on the legs going over the head 
to lower the body a little by bending the arms. The greatest bal- 
ance is necessary in doing this, as one is liable to be two anxious, and 
overbalance himself when least expected ; but if, in achieving this 
exercise, the body be a little bent, it will make it much easier for the 
learner to balance himself in carrying it into effect, when the body 
might be raised until the arms are perfectly straight, yet after a 
practice it could be accomplished without bending the arms at all, 
which would certainly give it a better effect. 

The Slow Upwakd Movement, Wrist practice.— To facilitate and 
expedite the accomplishing of this, to beginners, most difficult 
and trying exercise, it being done solely by the strength of the wrists, 
it has been divided into three exercises, each of which may be prac- 
ticed as a complete one in itself. 

Mount between the bars, with the face towards their length, letting 
the balls of the hands be a little over the ends, but not too far, and 
the bars lirmly grasped, the lingers being on the outside, and tend- 
ing, as the exercise is proceeded with, towards the top, the thumb be- 
ing inside. Sink down by bending the arms, allowing the elbows to 
fall with the body, as in Fig. 43, keeping the head forward and the chin 
out ; when that point is attained, rise (perhaps with some little as- 
sistance at lirstj into the upright position again, and practice it until 
able to do it easily before attemping to proceed with the next. 

Although this greatly resembles the Else and Fall exercise, it is 
thought proper to insert it here, not only from the difference in the 
position of the hands and body, but from its connection with the two 
following exercises, of which it forms a part. 

Proceed with the last exercise, and this time drop the elbows as 
low as possible below the bars, still keeping the body is the same 
position; the wrists will now be so bent over the ends of the bar that 



50 



GITMNAS'flCS. 



the body will seem to hang from them. On carrying the elbows 
down the Angers should be brought somewhat over the bars, to have 
a greater purchase to rise again, which must be done very slowly—' 
the slower the better, and well persevered in before attempting to 
continue the movement, as in the next exercise. 
Having completely mastered the two previous exercises as there 
Fig. 4 3. 1"'ig.4 4, 





given, let the gymnast, now that his elbows are below the bars, let 
drop, by straigiitening the arms, as low as possible (Fig. 44) ; should 
there not be room enough for his legs, thev may be either extended 
out in front, or else bent underneath at the knees , in either case, they 
must on no account touch the ground. Every movement in these 
three exercises, which though when combine form but one, should be 
done as slowly as possible; the gymnast will therefore be now required 
to bring the whul© oJ! the muscles of his arms and wrists into use to 



GYMNASTICS. Si 

raise his body up again, and some slight assistance in the way of a 
gentle left under the armpits, at ilrst, may be the means of his over- 
eo.ning the difficulty much sooner than it otherwise would be, or at 
least until he attains the position described in the last exorcise, which, 
in returning, is the turning point of the whole. 

PLniPiNG Movement. Competition Practice.— M.ovint between the 
bars in the middle of them, the movements required being very simi- 
lar to thase given in the backward pumping movement, but here the 
gymnast must swing and on the legs raising up in front, raising 
the body again directly, by straightening the arms, on the legs going 
in the backward swing, when the body and legs must be well raised 
behind, like that shown in Fig. 36, then let the body drop without 
bending the arms until the legs rise up in front again, when the ex- 
ercise is to be repeated in all three times. 

Having accomplished the above, he now proceeds with the second 
part of the exercise, viz., continue the swing, and sinking the body 
on the legs dropping from behind ; strengthening the arms again on 
their being carried up in front, which must here be done as high as 
possible, when, giving the body a backward swing, the exercise can 
be continued as before, viz., three times. 

The Slow Upward Movement. Wrist practice.— ThQ gymnast 
must mount in the middle of the bars, and proceed slowly to carry 
the preceding slow upward exercises into effect. If preferred, he 
may practice each division, as in the aforesaid exercises, in the order 
they are placed. This will enable him to understand the required 
movements of the arms and hands better, as he will soon find that, 
although the exercise itself is the same, the execution of it will be 
more difficult, as the difference in the position of the hands will cause 
the gymnast to bend his elbows closer to his sides, while lowering 
his body between the bars; besides which, his hands being then 
turned out, his wrists will be likewise turned out, as well as down. 
This evil maybe in part remedied by his bringing his hands upon the 
top of the bars (Fig. 43) as the body is lowered, carrying them over 
on the outside as his body is again raised thereby getting a greater 
purchase to bring the elbows up on assuming his original position. 
This exercise needs but a little practice, if the previous ones can be 
achieved easily. 



6^ ^itMKASDica. 



THE RINGS. 

ttemarka. — The advantage which this apparatus has over the two 
previous ones is that, from its being suspended from the ceiling", it 
can be used almost everywhere, even in a passage about three feet 
wide, room to swing to and fro being the chief requisite. There is 
scarcely a part of the body, from the hands to the feet, that is not 
ijrought into use by practicing upon the Eings, and the exhilirating 
effects of being carried bacliward and forward la the swing being so 
well known to every one, what must therefore be the additional ben- 
tits to be derived from suspending the body by the hands while be- 
ing thus swayed to and fro ! Though the exercises are not so vari- 
ous upon the Bings as upon the Trapeze, still gymnasts will be gen- 
erally found practicing upon them of tener ; though why that should 
be I know not, as for my own part, I am more partial to the Trapeze 
than the Eings. 

The gymnast having perfected himself in the previous depart- 
ments will soon be able to take up the rings. He should start this 
exercise with simple arm movement, such as taking hold of the 
rings with his hands and gradually drawing himself up to his chin, 
and then letting himself down to arm's length. 

This should be done slowly and repeatedly, from six to eight times 
In succession. In the course of several weeks he will llnd that he 
can do it twenty times with the same ease that he did his six or eight 
turns when he first began. 
This exercise brings into play particularly the muscles of the arms. 
EXEKCISES ON THE EiNGS.— If this work is completely mastered 1 
would advise what commonly goes by the naime of "breast up." 
There are two .ways of accomplishing this trick. One is with the 
single grip and the other is with the double grip. There is all the 
difference in the world between the single and double grip. 

The single grip is by far the most difficult of the two, and I advise 
particularly against its use. With the double grip it is altogetiior 



GYMNASTICS. 




5U=>W R&vOLVfc 



ROPtr 



54 GYMNASTICS. 

different. Tou place your hands on the rings and allow th©m to rest 
almost half way across the wrists. You will find that in course of 
time you will be able to do it with very little exertion. 

To make this trick plainer I will add a few words : You must place, 
as I have already described, your hands above the rings and then 
draw yourself up so as to have the hands even with the shoulders, 
which is not very easy ; then you turn the rings out, in order to allow 
your shoulders to come [between the ropes. Now draw the rings 
toward you, press until you get up at arm's length, and the trick is 
done. 

When this trick is done with the single grip a great deal of weight 
must be supported by the fingers alone. When it is done with the 
double grip the whole hand and also the wrist are used, and thus the 
labor is divided. 

VAiiUE OP THE Breast Up.— This trick should be thoroughly 
studied and mastered, and when that is done the beginner will be 
amply rewarded. He will have far less trouble and exercise less 
strength in doing the more difficult tricks, such as the forward hori- 
zontal, back horizontal, hand balance, stationary and swinging; the 
half arm balance, back snap, stationary and swinging and double 
disjoint, slow revolve and many others too numerous to mention. 

I consider it best to use the double grip in studying the rings, as I 
find that it enables the performer not only to do all these tricks bet- 
ter, but also with much more ease and grace. 

One thing particularly a beginner should never lose sight of. He 
should be careful to finish his tricks as well and neatly as possible, so 
as to make them graceful and appear easy to the spectator. 

He must be precise in every movement, not a second too long nor 
too short. He should start in and leave off at the precise moment. 

To learners I would say do all your tricks with style and finish, for 
however simple a trick may be if it is perfectly done it will be a 
pleasure for the beholder. But, on the contrary, if the most difficult 
trick is not well done it is a failure and would better not have beeu 
attempted. 

The Kings Not Easy.— A beginner will find that the rings are 
about as hard as any apparatus in the gymnasium. 

But no gymnasium work is eas^'-, and perseverence is the key of 
Success. If the first effort is a failure the fifth or sixth may not be. 
My advice is to work persistently and never lose heart. 

My own experience proves that my advice i» good. 



GYMNASTICS. 55 

When I started in the gymnasium about fifteen years ago I had as 
many failures and mishaps as any beginner, but I persev\5red 
and gave my steady attendance to study, and to that alone I owe 
whatever success I may have attained. I won the amateur cham- 
pionship of America in the rings for the years 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 
1889 and 1890, as well as the rope climbing in 1888, doing this trick of 
rope climbing twenty-two feet in live and three-fifts seconds. I have 
also won over fifty prizes for running from the year 1880 to 1883. At 
that time I was retired from active track athletics. 

I am an active member of the New York Athletic Club, and I still 
perform on the rings. I also have a record for rope climbing, made 
at Princeton, N. J., on Feb. 22, 1889, of thirty-seven feet and nine 
inches in ten and one-half seconds. 

Some Hard Teicks.— -I have already described the process of 
training for the rings, and now I will tell how some of the tricks are 
performed. 

The back horizontal is one of the prettiest that I know of. In this 
trick the performer takes hold of the rings and throws his legs into 
the air until he is in the position of a man standing on his hands, 
Slowly the body is lowered until it is held out straight with the face 
downward and the arms extended downward. 

The front horizontal is much more difficult to'most performers, but 
with me it is easier. The beginner should start by hanging at arm's 
length. Then he should throw the head well back and draw his legs 
and body up until a horizontal is reached. This should be done at 
first with a forward snap. 

The swinging back snap is simply a breast up done backward and 
ivith a throw. The performer rests on his palms at arm's length. 
Jhis trick does not require so much strength as knack. It is not 
hard to learn and needs confidence. The beginner should do it first 
\i ithout a swing. 

The Swinging Hand Balance.— The swinging hand balance re- 
quires first a breast up. When you are up at the forward end of the 
rings throw your feet up and strike a balance with your legs over 
your head. 

The learner should first balance on his hands on the floor with his 
feet against the wall. Gradually he should draw away from the 
support in order to gain independence. 

On the rings it should be learned without the swing. When this 
wB mastered a short swing should be 1<ried. Gradually increase tk^ 



56 '' GYlMNASTirS. 

swing until in the air and in motion, the performer is perfectly at 
home. This trick requires nerve, confidence and knack and at least 
two years of practice. 

The half arm balance consists of resting: the weight of the body on 
the forearm, which is passed through the rings below the elbow, 
throwing the feet up and stopping at a balance. This trick requires 
little practice, and always attracts attention. But unless the rings 
are held in one place the arms are likely to be hurt. 

In making the slow revolve the performer should first do the breast 
up, keeping the arms at full length. Gradually he should lower the 
body to the forward horizontal position and then complete the revo- 
lution until the original position is reached. 

The secret of rope climbling is quick work on the recovery. A 
Bteady long reach is necessary. One hand is passed over the other, 
without using th© legs 






QYMNASTlOd, 67 



THE TRAPEZE. 

Remarka on the ^Jxercises. —Before proceeding: with the following 
exercises, the pupil is advised ta practice several of th-e exercisea 
mentioned in the horizontal bar, including many of the preliminary 
exercises thereon, some of which may be achieved while the trapeze 
is in the swing. From the number of the before-mentioned exercises 
capable of being" practiced hereon, it would appear that there is not 
much difference between the horizontal bar and the trapeze. There 
is not, nor would there be, were it not for the swinging motion of the 
latter caused by the performance of the exercises ; but that difficulty, 
if it be one, will be soon overcome after the young gymnast has prac- 
ticed and learned to give the right motion of his body to the never- 
ceasing vibration of the ropes. 

The few exercises here given for this apparatus must not be taken 
as the whole capable of being carried into effect on it, for it must be 
borne in mind that at least one-half, or perhaps more, of the exer- 
cises for the horizontal bar, if also mentioned under this head, would 
swell the number here given to three or four times as many more; 
but the gymnast will have quite enougli to do to carry all of them 
into effect. 

The swing is performed by drawing the body up on ascending, 
either in the forward or backward swing, and lowering it rather 
quickly (not with a jerk) on the body returning, which, if done at the 
right time, will cause the body gradually to rise higher and higher 
until the required height is obtained. 

This method of swinging is made use of generally when the trapeze 
is high enough from the ground to prevent the gymnast from toucli- 
ng it when hanging by his hands at arm's length ; but should it b(i 
sufficiently low to enable it to be grasped easily, the swing may be 
then effected by running along at first, and giving a slight spring 
from both feet alternately every opportunity, either in the forward 
or backward swing, until the required height be obtained. 

It would be advantageous to ease the hands occasionally on the 
body rising in the backward swing, as by so doing the exercise may 



S8 



OTMKASTtOS. 



be continued or repeated for a much longer time without the gym- 
nast getting so fatigued. 

The liEa Swing.— Tliia swing is accompiislied by hanging by the 
legs, keeping the feet well towards the ground, and swaying the 
body to and fro, bringing it up towards the knees when going the 
"way the face is, and carrying it out to look, as it were, as far as pos- 
sible along the ground, in going backwards, the arms being made use 
of sharply during the swing. They are brought up in the forward 
and extended with the body in the backward swing. 

To swing with the legs the gymnast must proceed with the last 
exercise to start himself, then bring the legs up, pass them under, 
and hitch them over the bar outside the hands, as in Fig. 45, or else 
fn bringing them up pass them between the hands and then over; 



Fig. 4 5 



the body must then be dropped so 
as not to check the swing, viz., 
either at the turn from the backward 
swing, as in Fig. 45, or else at the 
turn for it at the opi)osite end. 

To ClBCLH THE BaR IK THB 

Swing.— Proceed as described in the 
last exercise but one, and when you 
raise fairly in the alr,;in the forward 
swin^, circle the bar, bringing the 
elbows between the ropes without 
touching them, by drawing them 
close to the sides ; and on the trapeze 
reaching its highest point in the 
backward swing, with a strong but 
gradual motion carry the body the 
full length of the arms from the bar, 
a little upwards than otherwise (See 
Fig. 10), but not sufflcien* to check the motion of the swing. On 
the body falliUi^, give it a swinging motion without allowing the 
feet to touch the ground, and circle the bar again, continuing the 
exercise as often as convenient. 

It must be borne in mind that in doing this exercise, the less exer- 
tion used the better the effect, and the greater the impetus in throw- 
ing the body back, the more likly is the exercise capable of being 
repeated, for, if the body be allowed to merely drop, or if carried off 
at the wrong moment, the result will be a check in the swing and 




GYMNASttCS. 



conseqnontly a failure In the exercise. There must be none of that 
luereiy dropping off the bar almost straight down, as if the exercise 
were tinished, but rather as if you tried to hitch the toes on another 
bar behind you, and a little higher up than the trapeze bar. 

The Turn. Arm and wrist practice.— Circle the bar and sit on it, 
place the right hand on it with the fingers backwards and the tVmmb 
in front, close to the right-hand rope, which must fee grasped with the 
left hand about the height of the shoulder (see Fig. 46), then throw 
the weight of the body upon the right arm, by lifting it off the bar 



Fig. 4a. 



and carrying it round the right-hand 
rope, raise the legs over the bar, and re- 
sume your position upon it. Now repeat 
the exercise with the left-hand rope, 
when the left hand will grasp the bar, 
and the right hand the rope. 

In carrying the body round, the legs 
should be well lifted up, and the hand 
grasping the bar should turn it towards 
the legs to enable them to be carried over 
a little sooner than they otherwise would 
be, thereby likewise relieving the arm of 
the weight of the body. 

To Stand on the Bar. Balancing 
practice. Turn the body sideways and 
grasp the rope in front with both hands, 
then, placing both feet, one in advance of 
the other, straight on the bar, stand per- 
fectly upright, and when the ropes are 
steady, gradually let go your hold and 
stand thus for a short time. Until able 
to do so with confidence, it would be as well to keep tlie hands at a 
little distance only from the rope on each side ; but after a time the 
gymnast will be able either to stretch his arms out at the side, or 
fold them across the chest. 

This exercise is varied in many ways ; for instance, standing on one 
leg; achieving the balance on both or one leg only while swinging as 
in the ordinary way, or to and fro sideways, which latter may be 
effected before the balance, or either position of the balance may be 
achieved and the swinging motion given afterwards, etc. ; but these 
movements must be attempted by none but practiced gymnasts. 




GYMNASTICS. 



?ia. 47. 



To Stand at Ease.— Having stood upon the bar, as In tho last, 
turn your back against one of tlie ropes witli the feet on tlie bar^ as 
in Fig. 47, and wlien perfectly steady, fold the arms across the chest. 
Do this sometimes against ono rope, sometimes against the other, 
and do not always keep the same foot in front. 

The feet may be placed as in Fig. 47, or the front foot may be 
elided forward, so as to rest the hollow of it against the bottom of 
the rope, and the other laid across it 
as when sitting in a chair a person 
stretches out his legs for ease and com* 
fort. 

The Best. Spine practice.—Sit on the 
bar, and grasping the ropes about level 
with the shoulders, slide down until low 
enough to rest the back of the neck 
against the bar, when throw the legs well 
up, and bending the body a littl^t the 
Vilpa, rest the feet against the ropes (see 
Fig-. 48), The hands may now be folded 
across the chest, or placed as shown in 
the Illustration. 

This being merely an exercise for the 
spine, care should be taken in doing it, 
and the hands should be ever ready to 
grasp the ropes. In the event of a slip, 
which will not happen if the gymnast 
balances himself properly. 

The Catch. Instep parctice. — Hang b> 

the legs, then by opening them wide, 

I ^Pfl^ I ^^^ lifting the feet up, at the same time 

I ^P/ R I turning the toes well out, and keeping 

I J^yf ^1 B ^^® heels well down, allow yourself to 

w i^a^u^L. .m i/ ^ slide ofT the bar, when the feet will be as 

"" ' shown in Fig. 49. After having remained 

in that posftfon for a short time, pull the body up, and grasp the 

bar, when unhitching the feet, achieve some other exercise as a fin- 

lah to the above (sea next exercise). This exercise is very useful, in 

the event of a slip at any time, and the gymnast should always be 

prepared to carry it into effect when required. 

Mt on the bar, and after getting it to swingr to and fro well, let go 




GrMKASTICS. 



61 



the ropes, and throw yourself back in the backward swing, In such a 
manner that by the time the body has descended as far as practic- 
able, the swing: will return the other way ; but in so doing", turn the 
toes well out, and keep the heels well down, then by opening the legs 

FiG.48. Pio.io. 





wide, the toes will hitch round the ropes, as shown in the last exer* 
cise (see Fig. 49), and when in that position let tlie body sway to and 
fro a few times; then raise it up, and unhitching the feet, achieve a« 
before some other exercise for a finish. 



62 ©TMNASTICS, 

Grasp the bar with both hands, and, when in a rood swing brinsf 
the legs up, and hitch them over tlie bar, eitiier between tlio 
hands or outside them ; if the latter, they should be very close to tho 
hands, or the feet are very likely to come in contact with the ropes ; 
then let go with the hands and gradually lower the body ; when at the 
end of the baekward swing carry the arms and head well back, at the 
same time unhitch the legs (see Fig. 12), and you will alight safely or 
the ground. 



SXAfKASnOB. 



THE HORSE. 

The Horse, so c^led from its somewhat resembling that animal a? 
It at tirst catches the eye, likewise denominated "The Yaultini; 
Horse," "The Wooden Horse," etc., is now much more practiced upon 
than formerly, owing: perhaps to the variety of the evolutions to be 
performed upon it, many more than upon any other gymnastic ap- 
paratus. Although the several actions of the different parts of the 
body partake of those of the horizontal bar and parallel bars com- 
bined, yet, as a whole, they differ materially from both, or either, as 
upon the horse exercises can be achieved, and movements made, that 
it would be utterly impossibe to accomplish on any apparatus. It is 
for this reason that it finds a place in every gymnasium ; in fact, it 
would not be worthy of that title, were this now most useful appai-a- 
tus not to found in it. 

Any exercise on the horse, which is in many respects similar to 
that achieved on the horizontal bar, must, owing to the position of 
the hands, differ from it; therefore, under these circumstances, it is 
hoped that any young would-be athlete, who intends to become mas- 
ter of any of the following exercises, will not attempt to go through 
it, unless he has thoroughly worked his whole body into what will be 
required of him, by beginning at the beginning, and going through 
the whole of the preliminary exercises, ere he attempt to achieve 
any of the more difficult, as in every instance he will find that he 
will have greater difficulty in learning any one exercise, unless thor- 
oughly well schooled previously, and the exercise, itself will appear 
much more difficult than it otherwise would be. However, let two be- 
ginners enter upon their duties, each going his own road, the one doing 
what he likes, the other following the direction [^here given ; and by 
the time the latter has reached the end, compare the performancet;, 
and judge for yourself which is the better of the two. 

.All gymnasts must bear in mind that, in making the spring, after 
a run, it must be made from, flat foot, and not from the toes, as if you 
we -e standing by the side of the horse, and likewise from both feet at 
(mc .therefore a kind of j ump on to the board, or starting point, must be 



€4 GYMNASTICS. 

made prior to making: the beat off; for if the spring: be made other- 
wise, the exercise to be effectuated will be entirely spoilt, and tha 
chances are that it will not be done at all. 

Another thing must be borne ;in mind, i. e., on alighting on the 
.ground, no matter on which side of the horse, it must always be done on 
the toes, and not on the flat foot, or a sudden shock will be the conse- 
quence ; besides, if the legs are bent on alighting, it Avill be made 
much easier than keeping the legs straight, which must not be. 



EXEKCISES ON THE HORSE. 

Stand on the near side of the horse, directly opposite to the pom- 
mels, and place a hand on either. Spring up and straighten the 
arms, bringing the body sufficiently forward to let them assume a 
perpendicular position ; project the chest well {forward, and carry the 
feet and legs well backward, without bending^them, but at the same 
time leaning well against the side of the horse. 

On leaving the horse and alighting on the ground, do so on your 
toes, and always carry the legs as far away from the horse as possi- 
ble, when, assisted a little with the wrists, you may touchjthe ground 
at a distance of from three to four feet. 

Eepeat the foregoing exercise by lirst taking a short run/ .and by 
springing from both feet at once, and not from one foot only, and alsa 
from the flat foot, and not from the foes, placing the hands on the 
I)ommels at the same time that the spring is made. Leave the horso 
in the same manner as the last. 

Repeat the first exercise ; but do not stop while doing it, as the final 
movement, t. e., the leaving of the horse, must be made directly the 
body is raised into its place ; in fact, it must be brought about as if 
the whole were one movement. 

Repeat the same exercise (either with or without the run), but in- 
stead of carrying the legs away as therein stated, merely carry the 
body off a little by the aid of the wrists, and alight on the ground 
close to the side of the horse, retaining your hold of the pommels 
when a spring must be again made, and the exercise repeated with- 
out any rest between. 

Proceed as before, and after the body is upright, carry the right 
ley up at the side of the horse into a horizontal position, but without 
either touching the horse with it after you have begrun, or resting it 
upon it; then let it drop again and carry up the left leg in like man- 



GYMNASTICS. 



nsr. The body in this and three following exercises may be turned a 
very little only, to ease the le^j , and to facilitate the raising of it, to 
the right or left, as occasion may require. 

Kepeat the last exercise, carrying up each leg three times in suc- 
cession, without either resting or touching the ground between. 

Proceed as in the last exercise but one, but carry both legs up at 
once, as slow as possible, first to the right, then to the left, keeping 
them straight the whole of the time. The body must not be moved 
nor carried too much to the opposite side to that to which the legs 
are carried; a very little cannot be helped by most gymnasts, for the 
p,g g^^ more upright position the 

body retains the greater th® 
benefit to be derived there- 
from, and the more graceful 
will be its accomplishment. 
Repeat the last exercise, 
carrying the legs up three 
times in succession each 
way, witfiout either resting 
or touching the ground 
while doing it. 

Repeat the first exercise 
with a run, and on the body 
rising carry it a little to the 
right, and giving it a slight 
turn to the left throw the 
right leg over the horse, 
thereby facing the pommels 
(Fig. 50). As the pommels 
are not to be let go while doing this exercise, the body must 
be leaned a little more forward, but to dismount the body must bo 
carried well forward, at the same time raising it and bringing the 
right leg over the horse again, when, by reversing the motion, alight 
on the ground, but doing so as far from the horse as possibe, by 
using the wi'ists well. This exercise should also be done without the 
run. 

"Hftpeat the last exercise, also with the run, but turn the body to 
the ngfA,/, and carry the left leg over the left side of the pommels, 
dismounting in the manner therein stated. This exercise should 
*L-o be done without the run. 




«6 



GYMNASTICS. 



Fio. 51, 



Go through the last exercise but one either with or without the run, 
and carry the right leg over as therein stated, then raise the body 
by leaning well forward, and alight on the ground, and springing up 
again on the instant, but this time carry the left leg over, as in the 
eleventh exercise, when alight on the ground in like manner. 

This exercise may be 'repeated four or five times in succes;^ion to 
advantage, making use of the right and left legs alternately. 

Proceed as in the last, but instead of alighting on the ground be- 
tween, allow the body to assume the upright position, as in the first 
exercise, when, without any spring 
whatever, otherwise than can be giv- 
en to the body while in that position, 
to assist you, carry the left leg over ; 
then again return to the side of the 
horse, stop, and carry the right leg 
overmgain, repeating the exercise at 
least three times each way alternately 
without allowing the feet to touch 
the ground or the arms to be bent, 
and, if possible, the legs should like- 
wise be kept perfectly straight, but 
not 8ii:S^. The body must in this ex- 
ercise be leaned a little forward each 
time the leg is carried over the horse, 
which will make the exercise much 
more easy to achieve. 

This is called the Swinging Exer- 
cise, or the Saddle Vaulting Move- 
ment. 

Proceed as in the last exercise |^ 
but three (Fig. 50), but instead of 

resting between the change, lean the body forward to throw your 
whole weight upon the arms, then, while bringing the rightleg back, 
give the body a kind of turn towards the opposite end of tho horse, 
and throw the left leg over it, when your face will be towards the 
tail of the horse. Now, to reverse the motion, lean forward as before, 
and on the body turning round throw the rightleg oxer again, the 
legs each time describing a semi-circle. When able to accomplish 
this with ease, practice it with a quicker movement, which w""' give 
it the nature of a swing. 




GYMNASTIOS. 



Spring up and carry the right knee over the saddle, between the 
pommels, jump down and springing: up again directly carry the left 
between them ; then jump down, and on springing up this time carry 
both knees over the saddle at once, and kneel upright upon the horse, 
letting go the pommels while doing so (Fig. 51). Grasp the pommels 
firmly again, and alight on the ground. Do not carry the knee too 
far over, or you may topple over and alight on the wrong side of thel 
horse. 

Spring up as In the first exercise. Now raise the right leg slowly by 
Jiettding it at the knee and carry it over the saddle, extending it as 
far as you can without allowing either 
leg to touch the horse (Fig. 52). The 
body must be well leaned forward In do- 
ing this, the hands grasping the pommels 
firmly. On bringing the right leg back 
alight on the ground, spring up again, 
and carry the left leg through In like 
maner. 

Proceed as In the last exercise, and on 
bringing the right leg back carry the left 
over at the sametime, and without letting 
either touch the eaddle. This requires 
but a little practice, when It will become 
quite easy. 

Proceed as In the last exercise, and 
on bringing the right leg back carry the 
left over at the same time, and with- 
out letting either touch the saddle. 
This requires but a little practice, when it will become quite easy. 
Carry both of the legs over the saddle at once, without touching it 
Vith the feet (Fig. 53), and raising them Into a horizontal position as 
soon as the body Is upright. To dismount, lean the body forward, at 
the same time raising it up behind and carrying the legs out straight 
baickwards, give a good spring and alight on the ground. 

Axjhieve the exercise, as for Fig. 51, bringing up both knees at once, 
then kneel on the saddle, letting them be well over the horse. Now 
let go the pommels, and bringing the hands upwards in front some- 
what sharply, at the sametime giving a strong spring forward, lift 
your feet from off the horse (see Fig. 54). and alight on the ground on 
th3 other side of it. 




«8 



GYMNASTICS, 



Although, in endeavoring to effectuate this exercise, at first your 
legs seem to be fastened to ihe back of the horse, owing chiefly to 
your lack of courage to go tnrough it for fear of a mishap, such you 
will easily prove is not the case, if you only give a sufficient spring- 
at the same time that you carry your hands forward and raise the 
legs from the horse, although it may not then be neatly done ; still, 
if needed, and it will only be for once, to give you greater confidence, 
a second party may be on the opposite side of the horse, to reader 

Fig. «i3. 




roil any slight assistance, and to catch you should you jump Toe 

TAB,, 

Bepeat the exercise as for Fig. 53, but let there be no pause or hesi- 
tation in carrying the legs over the horse, and let them be well opened 
and the body well raised to enable the feet to clear the tops of the 
t)ommels (see Fig. 55), which must be let go when the legs are about 
to be brought forward, giving a fti^^ong spring with the wrist in doing 



gymnastic;-;. 



6? 



BO, to carry you as far as possible from the horse. An assistant h.uJ 
better be on the opposite side, until you are sure of doing it properly. 
Proceed as before, but bend the less at the hips only,and on mak- 
ing the spring: raise them up and carry them only over the rlght-hsind 
pommel, keeping" the body perfectly upright while goin? over the 
horse, as, wero it also to be raised, It would make the exercise too 

I'M. 5 4. 




much of a vault, and in fact spoil what is intended to be accomplishecj 
On leaving the horse a good spring must be given with the wrists. 

Thb Swimming Movement. Wrist practice.— :>,lo\int as in first ex- 
ercise, then raise the legs up behind, and in leaning the body forward 
until in a horizontal position, carry it towards the right, bringing that 
elbow well under you, when, letting go with the ie/i hand and stretch- 
ing t r>ut in front, support yourself on the right fore-arm for a s'lort 
time (see Fig. 56), and when able, and while still in same position, al- 
low the body to revolve round slowly, first to tl.o right, then to th( 
lett , as by this movement the wrist is well brought into use. Thi? 



n 



GYMNASTICS. 



though a very pretty exercise, requires some little practice to bo able 
to achieve it neatly ; therefore, when well up la it with the right area, 
it should be practiced with the left&s S>^o.8o. 

well. 

The Boiiii oyer.— This is not so diffi- 
cult an exercise as it will at first seem, 
it being very similar to the roll over 
the parallel bars (Fig. 38), (which see 
and practice a few times), the chief 
difference being in the position of the 
body in starting. The gymnast must 
stand with his back to the horse, acd, 
lifting up his elbows behind, place his 
hands on the side of the pommels, with 
the fingers outward and the thumbs 
Inward, so as to lean his elbows on the 
centre of the back ot the horse. Now lift 
the feet up with a strong impetus, and 
carrying them over the head, as in the exercise above referred to, at 
the same time bending the body backwar'^^sover the horse, and letting 
the pommels go when the body begins to drop, which must be whea 
the feet are le vei,or nearly so, with t^e head, you will be able to alight 

^ic, 5 6.. 





In safety on the ground, unless you retain your hold of the pomm<si« 
rather too long. Should such be the case, your posteriors will become 
the winners, and let yo* know whether the ground be hard or soft . 



.CCEPTN 



rxiT teTHE SPALDING ei trade-mark '"f!. 



SPALDING CHEST WEIGHT MACHINES 





Spaldinsr Chest Weight No. 2 



No. 2. A good machine for home use: 
noiseless and durable. Well made and 
ea«jr miming. Rods are fi-inch cop- 
pered spring steel. Weights are 5-!b. 
iron dumb bells, one to each carriage, 
and may be removed and used as 
dumb bells. Wall and floor boards 
are hard wood, nicely finished and 
stained. All castings heavily japanned. 
Every part of machine guaranteed free 
pf defect, Each. $5.00 



Spalding Chest Weight No. 12 

No. 1 2. This machine, especially designed 
for home exercise, will be found high 
grade in every particular. Cast iron parts 
are all nicely japanned. The wheels are 
iron, turned true on centers, and have 
hardened steel cone point bearings. The 
guide rods are spring steeL copper, 
plated. The weight carriage has remov- 
able felt bushings, noiseless and durable. 
Each handle is equipped with 10 pounds 
of weights. .... Each. $10.00 




Spalding Chest Weight No. 5 



No. 5. Because of its adjustment feature. 
which permits of all lower, as well as 
direct chest movements, this machine 
really combines two machines in one. 
and is particularly suitable where space 
is a consideration. The various changea 
are made by raising or lowering the cen- 
ter arm, requiring but a few seconds. 
Japan finish. Each machine is equipped 
with 1 6 pounds of weights. Ea.. $ 1 5.0O 
Extra weights for above. I X Ihs. Ea. .20 



Spalding Head and Neck Attachment 



Spalding Foot and Leg Attachment 



Por business men. Overcomes tendency to forward head. This provides a local exerciser for all muscles of the leg. 
due to continuous work at desk. For women, will help As such it is an excellent device for strengthening **;e«k 
develop a lucely rounded neck. muscles, toning up others and giving exercise to stifi joints. 





Illiutrsting Methcxi of Futening Foot snd Leg Attachment to No. S 
Cheat Weight Machine. 

No. 3. Hea%'y cowhide. Ready for use by simply snap. No. 2. Heavy cowhide. Readily attached to one handle at 
ping to or.e oi the handles or both. . Each. $1.50 both; can be worn with or without shoe. . Each. $1.50 



nflHniTTENTiONGiVENTOl 

ANT CWMUNICATIONS 

>MBE£SEDTBBS 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOflCOIIPlETEUSTOfSnnES 

SEE IHSIOE FRONT COra 

OFTHISBOfll 



Price* in effect Januarsr S. 1916. Subject to change without notice. For Canadian prices »de special Canadfan Catalopue. 



ACCEPT NO 



nan 




BB 




DfALDlNG CHAliN KtLT ROWING MACHlINii No. 600 

SuiUble Alike for the AtUete or tko OnUoary Man or Woman 

No. 600. The ideal boat lor borne use and train* 
ing purposes. Brings the "lexeTcise asualhr 
obtained on river or lake into the home or be«i» 
room. Fitted with roller seat and adjustable 
shoes to fit either a tall or a short persoib 
Thumb-nut arrangement controlling belt allow* 
more or less friction to be thrown into the ruD> 
ning parts, imitating the resistance which exists 
when forcing a row boat through the water. 
The resistance may be reduced for the weaker 
sex or increased to suit the strongest athlete. 
|Oars are pivoted in such a way that operator 
^can handle and turn them same as he -would 
during the return and feathering motion with 
a boat oar. Floor space required. 6x5 
feet, Each. $30.00 




Operated just like rowing 



SPALDING FRICTION ROWING MACHINE No. 119 




No. 119. The means used to produce the resist- 
ance is a simple friction clutch, which takes 
instant hold at the commencement of the stroke 
and retains the prersure till its completion, 
wrhen it instantly release* it, precisely as in a 
boat. Qyickly taken apart without loosening 
any bolts or screws. Each machine is adjust- 
able to any amount of friction or resistance, 
Do itot^se oil on friclion cylinder. If Us action iV 
ttol perfectly smooth a little clear soap rubbeJ on' 
ih surface will properly correct Us action. Floor 
space required. 414 feet by 4^4 feet. 

Complete, $16.00 



SPALDING ROWING ATTACHMENTS 

For u«e with No. S Cbest Weight Machines 
Particularly suitable for home use. Can be detached from the weight machine quickly and put away in a very small 
space until the next opportunity for use presents itself. To be used in connection only with chest weights, like Spalding 
No. 5 (see opposite page) which have ______ 

center arm adjustment, or with handles rv?5^ , , ~~~ : , j 



arranged so that they can be pulled from 
a bracket close to the floor. 




No.R 



No. R. Designed to fill the demand for a low priced 
article of this kind, built along substantial lines. 
Cives entire satisfaction. Floor space requireA 
4}4 feet by 12 inches Complete. $7.50 



No. 1, This, attachment, as will be noted, has out-riggers and 
arms similar to the rowing machine, and offers a great variety of 
work when used in connection with chest weight. Floor space 
required, 4 'A feet by 4}4 feet .... Complete. $10.00 



liOTE-TlieMiRoVFina Attacbmeiifat. Ncml ] aQiR^an licL^iued only in conneetion with the No. 5 Tries of Che»lWeirf»t Machine 



PROMPT ATTENTION 6IVEN TO I 

ANY COMMIWICATIONS 

ADDHESSEflTftUS 



A.G.SPALDING &, BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



I FOR COMPLETE UST OF STORES 

SEE INSHIE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOO! 



Price* IB effect January 5. 1916. Subject to change without notice For Canadian prices see apecial Canadian Catalogne. 



ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUTE 



m 



?^!li 




Spalding Adjustable Doorway Horizontal Bar 



requii 



No. A. The bar itself is made of selected hickory, having steel tubular ends into which iron 
sockets screvif, holding rubber cushions. The socket on one end contains a left hand thread, on 
the other end a right hand thread. By fitting the bar in the doorway and turning it with the 
hands the ends are made to expand, smd the friction applied by the rubber against the sides of 
the doorway is sufficient to sustain the weight of a heavy man. This bar may be used for chinning 
exercises, being adjustable to any height, also for abdominal work, as shown by cuts in margin 
of this page. Size of doorway in which bar will be used must be stated when ordering, as the 
adjustment is not great enough to meet all requirements in one size bar. .... Each, $4.00 

This No. A Bar is supplied regularly to fit any doorway under 33 inches in width. 
Bars to fit wider doorways Extra, 50c 

Should not be used in doorways wider than 42 inches. If length larger than 42 inches i» 

quired, it would be advisable to use a regular horizontal bar. 

Spalding Doorway Horizontal Bar 

No. 101. The keys fastened to each end of bar fit in the 
side sockets, which are secured to door jamb and hold the 
bar firmly in place. The parts are of malleable iron, very 
Hghf, yet strong enough to sustain the heaviest man. The 
bar may be quickly removed when not in use, leaving no 
projecting part. Complete with parts. $2.00 

This No. 101 Bar is supplied regularly to fit any door- 
way under 37 inches. Bars to fit wider doorways. Extra, 
50c Should not be used in doorways wider than 42 
inches. If length larger than 42 inches is required, it 
would be advi»Jit», to use a regular boriiontal bar. 

Extra sockets for doorway. Pair, 50c 

With two pairs of sockets bar may be used for either 
diinning or abdominal exercises. 





'^MMMIi 




hi 










^ 


11 






tiaii,toii>tcmt«lpart>e« 




1 



Spalding Home Gymnasium 

Combining Swinging Rings, Trapeze, Stirmps, and Swing. Should 
be in every home where there are growing boys and girls. The 
nmplest and best form of exercise for them. 

No. 1. The apparatus 
is supported by two 
strong sctew>hooks in 
the ceiling, about eight- 
een inches apart It can 
also be used outof doors. 
The straps are of extra 
strong webbing and ad- 

t'u stable to any desired 
keight; rings heavily 
japanned. The appa. 
ratus can be pot up in 
any room, and removed 
in a moment, leaving 
only two hooks in the 
ceihng visible. The 
various combinations 
can be quickly and easi- 
ly made. We furnish 
in addition, a board ad- 



justable to the stirrups, ih„„i„g Swinging Ring Showing upper part of 

which forms an excel- or upper portion Apparatus with trapeze «!,„„:„„ 

lent swing. Complete, of outfit bsrsttached exception 

ready to put up. $6.00 which 




. lete outfit ' 

of trapeze bur 

supplied 



raeHPT ATTENTION GIVEN tp 
AMY COMMUNICATIONS ' 
ADDRESSED TO 8S 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FeftCOMPlETEUSTOfl 
lEE INSIDE FIONTCC 
OF THIS BOOf 



Prices io effect Jamiaiy & 1916- Subject tO'cfaaage without aotiGa. For Canad i an prices see fecial C a n ad i a n .^ 




JS^M 




Spalding Home Vaultmg Hone^ 



Spalding IToine FaraOel Bar^ 




No. I. Fouf legs, telescoping, the inside or extension legs 
being made of hard wood, with iron hoofs. Body covered 
with cowhide of the best quality. Oosed pommels, easily 
detachable. - Complete. $60.00 

Spalding Floor Horizontal Bars 

t \ 



No. 72. Wrought iron pipe uprights, detachable iron hea<l 
pieces, steel guy wires, wrought iron tumbucUes and floor 
pSates ; steel core bar. . < • . . Complete. $30.00 

No. 73. Sao»e as our No. 72, except famished with solid 
hickory bar instead of steel core bar. Complete. $25.00 
No. 7S. Iroo uprights and guys. soFid hickory bar. 20.00 

n»o» ipace required for either Nofc 72. 73 or 75. 9 feet br 6 feet. 
Height. 7 3^ feet. 




No. 101. This is an excellent medium priced bar, mado 
adjustable in height and of good material throughout. The 
base is constructed of hard wood, the uprights are iroo and 
free from any dangerous projections or comers. The hand 
rails are 6 feet long, regular, but may be fumished in any 
desired length at additional cost. Floor space required, 
6 feet by ^Yz feet Complete. $3S.OO 




No. 102. This bar,Jn quality of material and construction 
i» very similtf to the No. 101 listed above; but it is ool 
adjusuble. An excellent bar for amateur and juvenile work 
and readily portable. Floor space required. 8 £edt by 



4,4 feet 



SpaI<Mng Wall Horizontal and Vaulting Bar 

No. 74. This 




bar is designed 
ta provide an 
ideal combina- 
tion Horizontal 
and Vaulting 
Bar where 
space is an im- 
portant consid- 
eration. By 
loosening the 
guys attached 
to the outer up- 
right the bar is 
made to swing 
backflatagainst 
the wall, as 



Vaulting Bar Folded Back 
Vautting Bar in Poutioo the wall, as AgainalWaU 

shown in the illustration. The uprights are cold rolled steel, polished 
and nickel-plated. and have engraved graduations. The bar proper is 
selected hickory, with soecial spring steel core. Floor space required, 
6 feet by 5 feet Height'7K feet ....... Complete, $35.00 



Complete, $25.00 

Spalding Horizontal Bars 

-Our steel core hickoiy bars are superior to 
anything of the kind in the market, and ai<» 

, almost exclusively used by professionals. The 
core is made of .special spring steel Every 
bar warranted. 

Steel Core Bars 



No. 112. 5>^ feet $75« 

No. 113. 6 feet 8jOO 

No. 114. 6>i feet 85» 

No. lis. 7 feet 9.00 

Solid Hickory Bars 

Made of selected aecood growth hickory- 
No. 116. 4 feet $2.00 

No. 117. 4>i feet 2,S« 

No. 118. 5 feet 2.7S 

No. 119. 5>ifeet 3-00 

No. 120. 6 feet 3J2S 

No. 121. 6K feet ..... ,^ . 3.30 



PIOHninEJmON GIVEN TO 
m eOMMONICATIOilS 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE UST OF STiHES 

SEE INSiDE FRONT Gina 

OFTHISBBOr 



PrioM IB effect Janury S. 1916. Subject to chuige iritkout notice. For Canadian priees see (pedal Ca n adian Catalo^uo. 





Start %ritl> tlie boy br maldos Urn take aoifte kind of esetciM. and If b« ii on* 
tnclmed to do m without nrsinc, pnride huB with uiitaMe appan^oa that ii at 
the tame time intereatinc. it won't be long before 70a will tee the effect in hi* 
improTcd physique, and no arcins vrill be necessary Co indoce him to show off 
bis proweta on swinging rings or trapeze. The boy that » started this way 
grow* op widi Ibe incUnatioo for athletic exercise that .will keep bint in good 
health daring the balance of hi* life^ 



Spalding Adjustable Trapeze and Swinging Rings 

Furnished complete: everything necessaiy for suspending. The sup- 
ports are made of extra strong webbing. Perfectly safe under all con- 
ditions, and with the adjustable buckle, may be adapted to any ceiling 
from 16 feet down. 

No. 201. Trapeze. . Each. $3.50 

No. 301. G>mplete, with 6-inch Japanned Swinging Rings. ** 3.50 

Spalding Wooden Exercising Rings 

No. 1. Made of three thicknesses of black walnut and maple glued 

together, with grain crossing Pair, $1.00 

No. 2. Made of one piece solid maple, nicely finished. . - ** .75 



o o 

No. 301. AdjustaU* 
Swinging Rings, 




Spalding Swinging Rings 

Made of japanned iron, 6 inches in diameter, inside measurcmenL 
COMPLETE FOR HOME USE 
No. 1. With S-foot ropes. . Pair. $3.50 
No. 2. Widi 6.foot ropes. . " 3.75 
No. 3. With 7.foot ropes. . " 4.00 
No, 4. With 8.foot ropes. . " 4.25 
Rings, leather covered. $4.00 per pair extra, 
WITHOUT ROPES AND CLAMPS 
No. 10. 6-in. Pair. $1.00 
No. 20. 8.in. " 1.50 
No. 30. lO-in. " 2.00 
A JH (l JnSizes mentioned are inside 

J^ a\ l« jW^measurements. Rings, lea- 

11 y V^-4^ '*"*' covered, $4.00 per 





Spadding Single Trapeze 

COMPLETE FOR HOME USE 

Prices, including 8 feet of rope 
or less. 
No. 1. 2>i foot bar. Each. $3.00 
No. 2. 3 foot bar. - 3.25 
Na3. 3K foot bar. ' 3.50 

Spalding Trapeze Bars 

WITHOUT ROPE 



No. IB. 2^ feet long, bars only. 

Each. $1.25 
No. 2B. 3 feet long, bat? only. 

Each. $1.50 
No. 3B. 3'A feet long, bars only. 

Each, $1,7& 



Spalding Mattresses 

The value of a good mattress- as a preventative of strains 
and bruises in home exercises is not generally recognized, 
but it is a fact that in this one feeiture lies their chief value. 
They are also indispensable as an adjunct to home acro- 
batics, and in fact, for most any kind of home gymnasium 
work, they are well nigh indispensable. The mats listed 
below are designed especially for home use and are recom- 
mended for that purpose only. Sullied only in iizes and materiah specified. Covered with best No. 10 white duck, filled 
with two layers of best one-inch hair felt, closely tufted and strongly sewed. Two inches thick. 

No. 00. Size 3 X 5 feet. Each. $8.00 No. 02. Size 5 x 6 feet Each. $15.00 

No. 01. Size 4 X 6 feet. " 12.00 No. 03. Size 5 x 10 feet " 25.00 




Speciad Wrestling Mattresses 

Cover heavy quality duck, closely tufted. 2 inches thick. Complete with corduroy cover to lay ever mat and allow 6-inch 

margin on all sides. 



No. WX. Size 12 X 12 feet 



Each. $90.00 No. WXX. Size 15.^ 15 feet 



cJ) $135.00 



PiMinATTENnOII6tlB«] 

Aifcomnmicineits^' 



A.G.SPALDING &, BROS, 



meMnnEusrpF 
SHOBiK — 



eteustpfstdkhI 

DEfMTCNB 11 



S^WfS. Sdb»Mtl»« 



;UBSTITUTE 



THE SPALDING 



TRADEMARK 



QUALITY 



SPALDING HOME GYMNASIUM BOARD 

A complete gjrmnasium for the home on one board. Floor space required, 
3 feet by 2 feet Height, 8 feet. Floor board and staple plate only are 
attached permanendy. Upper board is held in position by pressure of guy 
rod and will not mar the wall in the slightest degree. 

Consists of Board, with attachments for fastening to floor of room. 

so that walls need not be marred $10.00 

Spalding AbdomineJ Masseur. 10.00 

No. PR. Spalding Adjustable Disk. Complete with Striking Bag. 7.50 

No. 2. Spalding Chest Weight Machine, including ^pair of 5-lb. 




Dumb Bells. 



5.00 
Complete, all attached. $32.50 



Board itself will be furnished separately if desired. 



Each. $10.00 




As the complete outfit is made up and carried in stock by us, equipped as 
noted aibove, we cannot supply board with different 2irticles already attached. 



Spalding Automatic Abdominal Masseur 

Useful for treatment of constipation, based upon the principle of mus- 
cular contraction (the force which nature uses). It effectually applies force 
in the same direction that nature does, and will gradually discard the use of 
cathartics. A few moments' use each night, before retiring, and in the 
morning, upon arising, is all that is necessary. Its action upon the liver and 
stomach is equedly as prompt and effective, and derangements of these 
organs are speedily remedied Complete, $10.00 






Spalding Bar Stall Bench Spalding Leather Covered Shot 

No, A. For abdominaJ massage. 
An iron ball, wound with electric 
tape and then covered with very 
soft, smooth grade of horse hide. 
6 or 8 lbs. weight Each, $5.00 

Spalding Bar Stalls 

No. 20H. Adapted for use in the home;, compact, 
of simple construction, used for the greatest variety 
of movements affecting every part of the body, 
and especially abdomen and chest movements. 
Erected against waJl, behind door, or any flat 
surface. 8 feet high, 36 inches wide and extends 
6 inches into room. Floor space required, 
I ft by 2% ft Height, 8 ft. Per section, $8.00 



^^ 



N'o. 20S. Har4 pine, strong 
and substantia. Top padded 
with hair felt, canvas c6vered.j 
Preferable, for sanitary reaaonSi 
that canvas be painted (a spe-' 
cialelastic paint is used), unless 
specified, stock benches will be 
so furnished. . Eachw$4.0Q> 




awmqatig I 



PROHPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G. SPALDING &. BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STOIES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVEI 

OF THIS BOO! 



5. 1916. Subject to change without aotice. For Caiia<)uu> price* te« ipecial Cajoadian Catalogue- 



StJItUHESPALDINGI^JJTRADE-MARK 



SPACDING TRADE-MARK INDIAN CLUBS 

J STAINED HNISH 

The following clubd bear our Trade-Mark, are made of good material, and are far superior in 
shape and finish to the best clubs of other makes. Each pair wrapped in paper bag. 

Model BS — tVeights specified are for each club 

'4\h Pair. $ .35 * SS.S6 Doz. 

?< lb - .40 * J.9^ " 

1 lb •• A^-k 4.44 " 

l>^ lb " SSi^ 5.76 " 

2 lb " .70* 7.2/? " 

3 lb " .85 * 9J2 " 

Spalding Exhibition Clubs 

Handsomely finished in ebonite; fpr exhibition and stage 

purposes. The clubs are hollow, with large body, and 

although extremely light, represent a club weighing three 

pounds or more. 

No. A. Ebonite finish Peur, $3.50 

No, AA. With German silver bemds. . . ** 5.00 




Indian Club and Dumb Bell Hangers 



No.AA 



No. 
No. 



Made of Iron and Nicely 
Japanned 

1. Pair. 15c. ic $1.68 Doz. 

IM. Mounted on oak strips. 

Pair, 25c. *jr?.7^Z;c?2. 





Model BS 



Savage Bar Bell 



\ Especially designed by 
" Dr. Watson L. Savage 

Model S. Has large pear shaped ends, with a flexible hickory shaft >^-inch in diameter, produc- 
ing a vibratory exercise similar to that obtained with the French wand. Each, BOcicSS 40 Dos. 



0= 



Spalding Ash Bar Bells 

^ K^ No. 2. Selected material, highly polished. 
— H^ 5 feet long. . EsLch.ASc.i( S4.5<? Doz. 



School Wand 



Calisthenic Wand 



No. 3, 3 >^ feet long. Straight grain maple. No. 4. ^'A feet long. I inch diameter. Black 
black finish. Ea.c\x, I2c. -k SI .20 Doz. finish Each. 15c. -^ i'7.'/^ Z?<?^.. 



The prices printed tn italics opposite items marked with it vnU be quoted only on orders for one dozen pairs ar 

more on sizes up to one pound, and on one-half dozen pairs or more on sizes over one pound in weight 

On Wands and Bar Bells Quantity prices vuill be allowed on one-half dozen or more. 



llPIIOMPTATtENTIONGIVEMTO 
1 ANY GOMMUNIGATIONS 


A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 


wffla"°| 



Price* ID effect January 5, 1916. Subject to ' 



without aotica. For Caoadiaii price* »e« tpedal CanadiAO Catalogue. 




Patent Spring Grip Dumb 
•re used by all the greatest 
athlete* in their training. 



SANDOWS PATENT SPRING GRIP DUMB BELLS 

A. C Spalding & Broa^ Sole American and Canadian UceoMe* 

An entire system of physical culture is 
embraced within the exercises possible with 
these wonderful dumb bells. 

The bells are made m two halves connected 
by steel sprmgs, the effort necessary m grip- 
ping compelling thepupiltocontinually devote 
his whole mind to each movement This con- 
centration of will power on each muscle 
mvolved is what is responsible for the great 
results obtained through properly exercising 
with them. 

No 6. MEN'S. Nickel-plated ; seven steel 

springs. . . . . Pair. $3.00 

No 5. MEN'S. Black enameled. fiv= steel 

springs ... Pair, $2.00 

No. 4. LADIES' Nickel-plated; five steel 

springs Pair, $2.50 

No. 2. BOYS'. Nickel-plated ; four steel 

springs. .,...,.. Pair, $2.00 

We include with each pair of Sandow Dumb Beib 
a chart of exercises by Sandow and full instructions 
for using. This is the most complete exercising 
chart ever devised and yet it is very plain and ea»y 
to understand. Profusely illustrated. 




No. 2. Boys' 



Spalding Trade-Mark Wood Dumb Byis 

Model AW (Stained Finish.) Spalding Trade-Mark quality. Made of good ma- 

rerial and superior in shape and finish to the best wood dumb b.;ILs of othef 

f kes. Elach pair wrapped in paper bag. "Weights specified &tc for each bell 

• : lb. Bells. Pair. 35c. if S3. 36 Doz I lb. Bells. Pair. 45c * S-t .44 Doz 

;.» lb. Bells. •• 40c ^ 3 90 " «>^lb.BeU8. " 55c^ 5.70 " 

2 lb. Bells. Pair. 70c it SJ20 Doz. 



Spalding Iron Dumb Bells — Made on approved models, nicely bal- 
anced and finished in black enamel. Sizes 2 to 40 lbs. Pound 6c. ^ 5^:. Ib^ 

Over 40 lbs. Pound %c. it 6]iic. lb. 
Bar Bells, weight 25 lbs. or more for complete Bar 
Bell, supplied regularly with steel handles, length 
3 feet between bells , . 12c lb. it lOYiC. lb. 
Bar Bells, weight 25 lbs. or more for complete Bar 
Bell, with steel handles, either shorter or longer thzui £ 
regular length, as noted above. 15c lb. 'A' /J/4f. lb. 
Prices for Bar Bells, weighing other than above, quoted 

on application. 

Quantify prices in italics vnll be aUmced on t5 tt». or more 

of iron dumb bells or 100 lbs. or more of bar belU. 

Spalding NickeKPIated Dumb Bells (Niekei-puted and PoUshed) 

No. 1 N. I lb. Pair. 30c it S324 Doz. No. 3N. 3 lb. Pair. 70c *• $7^ Dot. 
No.2N. 21b. " SOc.it 5.40 " No. 4N. 4 lb. " 8Sc* 9JS " 
No. 5N, 5 lb. Pair. $1.00 • SJO.SO Doz. 

WITH RUfiBER BANDS 

No. 1 B. I lb. Pair, 50c it S5.40Doz. No 3B. 3 lb. Pair, $1 .00 it SlO.SODog. 

No 28. 21b. " 75c.'* S.JO " No.4B.41b. " 1.2S* /3S9 " 

No. SB. 5 lb. Pair, $1.50 • S/6.20 Doz. 

The prices printed in italics opposite items marked with it tvill beqnoted 
only on orders (or one-dozen pairs or more on stzes up to one pcund, and 
Qn Ofie-half dozen pairs or more on sizes cnier one pound in weight 
Bells, with Rubber Bands Quantity prices will NOT be allowed on items NOT marked vnih it 





\ 



ranin ATTENTION GIVEN n 
ANYGOMMyNICATieNS ' 
IMJESSEPTdBS 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS 

STORES !N ALL LARGE CITIES 



FetCOMPlETEUSTOFSTOaESl 

SE INSIDE FBONTCma 

OF THIS BOM 



rkke* in effect JmioMy & 19|«w Sul«ect t»cfaM«e ^ 



For CaniBBW price* wo vpodat C a n a di a n .CataJogaa.' 



STANDARD QUALITY 

An article that is universally given the appellation "Standard" is thereby conceded to be the Criterion, to which are 
compared all other things of a similar nature. For instance, the Gold Dollar of the United States is the Standard unit 
ol currency, because it must legally contain a specific proportion of pure gold, and the fact of its being Genuine i» 
guaranleed by the Government Stamp thereon. As a protection to the users of this currency against counterfeiting and 
other tricks, considerable money is expended in maintaining a Secret Service Bureau of Experts. Under the law. citizen 
manufacturers must depend to a great extent upon Trade-Marks and similar devices to protect themselves against coun> 
lerfeit products — vyithout the aid of "Government Detectives" or "Public Opinion" to assist them. 

Consequently the "Consumer's Protection" against misrepresentation and "inferior quality" rests entirely upon the 
integrity and responsibility of the "Manufacturer." 

A. G. Spalding & Bros. have, by their rigorous attention to "Quality," for forty years, caused their Trade-Mark to 
become known throughout the world as a Guarantee of Quality as dependable in their field as the U. S. Currency is in its field. 

The necessity of upholding the guarantee of the Spalding Trade-Mark and maintaining the Stemdard Quality of their 
Athletic Goods, is, therefore, as obvious as is the necessity of the Government in maintaining a Standard Currency. 

Thus each consumer is not only insuring himself but also protecting other consumers when he assists a Reliable 
Manufacturer in upholding his Trade-Mark and all that it stands for. Therefore, we urge all users of our Athletic 
Goods to assist us in maintaining the Spalding Standard of Elxcellence, by insisting that our Trade-Mark be plainly 
stamped on all athletic goods which they buy, because without this precaution our best efforts towards' maintaining 
Standard Quality and preventing fraudulent substitution will be ineffectual. 

Manufacturers of Standard Articles invariably suffer the reputation of being high-priced, and this sentiment is fostered 
and emphasized by makers of "inferior goods," with whom low prices are the main consideration. 

A manufacturer of recognized Standard Goods, with a reputation to uphold and a guarantee to protect, must nece*. 
sarily have higher prices than a manufacturer of cheap goods, whose idea of and basis of a claim for Standard Quality 
depends principally upon the eloquence of the salesman. ^y^ -^ 

We know from experience that there is no quicksand more unstable ^^^5^^--^;^^^ •^ "* ^>^ 

than poverty in quality — and we avoid this quicksand by Standard Quality. ^^V, f^ <^^^^^^^*^^^ ^^^^4^C^- 



STANDARD POLICY 

A Standard Quality must be inseparably linked to a Standard Policy. e i , /% i- 

Without a definite and Standard Mercantile Policy, it is impossible for a Manufacturer to long mamtam a Standard Quality- 

To market his goods through the jobber, a manufacturer must provide a profit for the jobber as well as for the retail 
dealer. To meet these conditions of Dual Profits, the manufacturer is obliged to set.a proportionately high list price aa. 
hia goods to the consumer. i . l ll j i 

To enable the glib salesman, when booking his orders, to figure out attractive profits to both the jobber and retailer^ 
ihese^'high list prices are absolutely essential; but their real purpose will have been served when the manufacturer ha» 
secured his order from the jobber, and the jobber has secured his order from the retailer. 

However, these deceptive high list prices are not fair to the consumer, who does not, and, m reality, is not ever 
expected to pay these fancy list prices. , i ,. i -i 

When the season opens for the sale of such goods, with their misleading but alluring high list prices, the_retailer 
begins to realize his responsibilities, and grapples with the situation as best he can, by offering "special discounts," which 
vary with local trade conditions. 

Under this system of merchandising, the profits to both the manufacturer and the Jobber are assured-, _but as there la 
no stability maintained in the prices to the consumer, the keen competition amongst the local dealers invariably leads to a 
demoralized cutting of prices by which the profits of the retailer are practically eliminated. 

This demoralization always reacts on the manufacturer. The jobber insists on lower, and still lower, prices. The 
manufacturer, in his turn, meets this demand for the lowering of prices by the only way open to him. viz.: the cheapenhtg 
and degrading of the quality of his product. . r> , 

The foregoing conditions became so intolerable that,'Il7 years ago, in 1899, A.G. Spalding & Bros, determined to rectify 
this demoralization in the Athletic Goods Trade, and inaugurated what has since become known as "The Spalding Policy. 

The "Spalding Policy" eliminates the jobber entirely, so far as Spalding Goods are concerned, and the retail dealer 
secures the supply of Spalding Athletic Goods direct from the manufacturer by which the retail dealer is assured a fair, 
legitimate and certain profit on all Spalding Athletic Goods, and the consumer is assured a Standard Quality and w 
protected from imposition. i , /- i 

The "Spalding Policy" is decidedly for the interest and protection of the users of Athletic Goods, and acts in two ways: 

FIRST.— The user is assured of genuine OfBcial Standard Athletic Goods. 

SECOND.— As manufacturers, we can proceed with confidence in purchasinir at the proper time, the vefy best raw 

materials required in ihe manufacture of our various goods, well ahead of their respective seasons, and this enables us to pro> 

ride the necessary quantity and absolutely maintain the Spalding Standard of Quality. 



All retail dealers handling Spalding Athletic Goods are requested to supply consumers at our regular printed catalogue 
prices— neither more nor less — the same prices that similar goods are sold for in our New York, Chicago and other stores. 

All Spalding dealers, as well hs users of Spalding Athletic Goods, are treated exactly- alike, and no special rebates or 
discriminations are allowed to anyone. 

This, briefly, is the "Spalding Policy," which has already been in successful operation for the past 1 7 years, and wiB 
be indefinitely continued. 

In other words, "The Spalding Policy" is a "square deal" for everybody. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



LIBRPRY 




ATHLETIC 1/ 



A separate book covers every Athletic Sport 

and is Official and Standard 

Price 10 cents each 



GRAND PRIZE 



l^^mt 




PARI S , 1900 



,T.L0U^1904 W Jb^urTL JU JLI 1 iN VJ PARIS, 1900 

ATHLETIC GOODS 

ARE THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD 



A. G. Spalding ® Bros. 



MAINTAIN WHOLESALE 



RETAIL STORES 



NEW YORK CHICAGO ST.LOULS 

BOSTON MILWAUKEE KANSAS CITY 

PHILADELPHIA DETROIT SAN FRANCISCO 

NEWARK CINCINNATI LOS ANGELES 

ALBANY CLEVELAND SEATTLE 

BUFFALO COLUMBUS SALT LAKE CITY 

SYRACUSE ROCHESTER INDIANAPOLIS PORTLAND 

BALTIMORE WASHINGTON PITTSBURGH MINNEAPOLIS 
LONDON, ENGLAND ATLANTA ST PAUL 

LIVERPOOL. ENGLAND LOUISVILLE DENVER 

BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND NEW ORLEANS DALLAS 

MANCHESTER. ENGLAND MONTREAL. CANADA 

BRISTOL. ENGLAND J TORONTO. CANADA 

EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND ^ PARIS, FRANCE 

GTASGnw srOTI.ATsrn SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA 



'K A.G.Spaldi 



NEW^YORK CBICACO SABT FRANCTSCO CHBICOPEE. MASS. 
BROOHLYN BOSTON ^ PBIIiADELPHIA JiONDON, ENG. 



